Press Releases News
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
CHICAGO (February 1, 2012)—An analysis of the Chicago region’s affordable housing developments has found that some affordable housing is not very affordable when transportation costs are considered. Typical transportation costs, the second largest expense in a household budget, ranged from $750 per month in many Chicago neighborhoods with affordable housing units to more than $1,000 in more distant suburbs. The report also found that suburban Cook County, which has comparatively low transportation costs, has fewer affordable housing units compared with the city of Chicago and the region’s collar counties.
“By definition, families living in affordable housing are guaranteed that their housing costs will not exceed 30 percent of their income, but transportation costs can negate that affordability if housing agencies aren’t careful about location decisions,” said Kathryn Tholin, CEO of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which authored the report. “Illinois has made gains in siting affordable housing in communities that meet fair housing goals. Our report reveals that we could do better, by choosing locations that offer greater access to employment, better transportation connectivity, and improved access to amenities.”
CNT applied its Housing and Transportation (H+T®) Affordability Index to 248 multifamily properties financed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) from 2001 to 2008 in the Chicago region. IHDA oversees the state’s affordable housing production and issues the Qualified Allocation Plan that sets the criteria for determining what housing proposals receive Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The developments analyzed in this report served both low-income families and seniors. Transportation costs as a percentage of income were compared against a household making $41,344 per year, or 80 percent of regional Area Median Income. Key findings from the report include:
• Residents of IHDA-financed developments live in neighborhoods with slightly lower typical transportation costs than those of the typical regional household.
• Almost nine out of 10 (85 percent) of IHDA-financed units studied are within a half mile of a train station or a quarter mile of a bus route; however, the level of transit service for IHDA developments dropped by 24 percent over the study period.
• The typical annual transportation cost for households in neighborhoods with bus and rail transit was $3,000 lower than the cost in communities with no access to transit.
• Suburban Cook County is not contributing a proportional share of affordable housing. The city of Chicago accounts for 45 percent of the affordable housing units studied, and the collar counties account for nearly 40 percent. Suburban Cook County, however, contributed just 15 percent of affordable units, even though it contains nearly a third of the population and jobs in the region.
• Few affordable housing developments have been funded in high employment areas, despite IHDA’s commitment to connecting housing and jobs.
“IHDA is always looking for ways to identify the best locations to provide low income residents housing in communities that meet all of their needs,” said King Harris, a member of the Illinois Housing Task Force. “CNT’s new report highlights the importance of travel costs in picking sites for new affordable housing.”
CNT recommends that IHDA make several changes to its Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) in order to improve access to jobs, lower transportation costs, and enhance livability for its affordable housing residents. The recommendations include:
• Requiring applicants to report the average transportation costs for their development’s location in the QAP and rewarding proposals that have lower transportation costs with more points.
• Improving the Desirable Amenities scoring category by targeting fewer amenities and tightening the distance restrictions.
• Refining the Live Near Work scoring category by reporting the ratio of low wage jobs to low wage workers around a proposed development and awarding more points to locations that have more jobs per worker.
• Strengthening the transit-oriented development scoring category by awarding more overall points for proximity to transit, service frequency, and residential density.
“As a developer who makes transportation options a priority in the housing my team builds, I appreciate CNT shining the light on transportation costs that are a hidden burden that most people don’t consider,” said Hipolito “Paul” Roldan, president and CEO of Hispanic Housing Development Corporation, a nonprofit housing developer that has properties in the city of Chicago and six suburban communities. “I look forward to seeing how IHDA uses this information and working with the agency to provide even better affordable housing for Illinois residents in the future.”
CONTACT:
Emily Robinson, Center for Neighborhood Technology, erobinson@cnt.org, 773-269-4043
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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on transportation, energy, water, community development, and climate. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
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Thursday, January 26th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 26, 2012)—Energy efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings could save building owners and residents up to $3.4 billion nationwide, according to a report released today by CNT Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency: Multifamily Housing and Utilities demonstrates that energy use in multifamily buildings can be reduced substantially, and cost-effective upgrades can result in utility cost savings of 15 to 30 percent in buildings with five or more residential units. The key to unlocking the savings, the report finds, is for energy utilities and apartment building owners to work together more closely to develop effective energy efficiency policies.
“We have billions essentially sitting untapped in our apartment buildings. We can harness that by simply setting better policies for efficiency for apartment buildings,” said Anne McKibbin, CNT Energy policy director and coauthor of the report. “Partnering with utilities is a crucial part of the process. Building owners and other housing industry players need to work with their utilities, engaging them directly and in local and state regulatory proceedings,” she said.
Energy efficiency upgrades improve the bottom line for multifamily building owners, help maintain affordable housing, decrease financial risk for lending institutions, and improve occupant comfort. However, building owners often have difficulty finding technical assistance, financing, or qualified contractors to upgrade their buildings. “Maximizing energy efficiency is a win-win for apartment residents, building owners, energy utilities and our energy infrastructure,” said Doug Bibby, President of the National Multi Housing Council. “This report offers excellent ideas that we hope spur further cooperation between multifamily owners and utilities to create a more efficient partnership.”
Better coordination between apartment building owners and energy utilities could address that, according to the report’s analysis. The study finds that there is a vast, largely untapped opportunity to engage utilities in providing effective energy efficiency programs that target the multifamily sector. The study examines utilities’ involvement in energy efficiency efforts across the country and identifies strategies that the multifamily building community can use to work together for improved efficiency. “We are thrilled to explore partnerships with apartment owners as a way of better serving our customers and reaching our energy efficiency goals. This paper outlines some important next steps for collaboration,” said Duane Larson, Director, Energy Efficiency Strategy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
The report identifies regions where the multifamily sector could see particularly dramatic benefits from improvements in energy efficiency policy. These include Florida, Illinois, Texas, and the District of Columbia—regions that have a substantial number of multifamily buildings and energy policies that leave significant room for improvement.
“Utilities and local regulations vary dramatically from state to state and region to region, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Eric Mackres, ACEEE senior policy analyst. “The common thread is that partnering with the utility is crucial. This report outlines a variety of strategies that can help the multifamily housing sector to engage electric and natural gas utilities in order to expand the resources available for energy efficiency retrofits.”
This report was made possible by support from the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Living Cities.
The full report is available online at http://www.cntenergy.org/publications/.
Those interested in learning more are invited to participate in a Webinar on February 13 at 1 p.m. CST. For details, go to http://www.cntenergy.org/calendar/ or call (773) 269-4037.
CNT Energy helps reduce energy costs in households, buildings, and communities. CNT Energy is a division of the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Since 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability—the more effective use of existing resources and community assets to improve the health of natural systems and the wealth of people, today and in the future. CNT Energy combines rigorous research with effective solutions to help consumers and communities control energy costs and become more energy efficient. For more information, visit www.cntenergy.org.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit http://www.aceee.org.
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Friday, January 20th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 20, 2012)—Today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented checks to two local companies that have taken advantage of an incentive program that reduces the cost of public transportation for employees. The Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) is a short-term incentive program that provides hundreds, even thousands of dollars to companies that provide pre-tax transit benefits to their employees. TRIP is available to all Cook County employers until February 10th.
“Gas prices remain high, and there’s no sign of relief as the year progresses. Public transportation is an affordable and convenient way for people to get where they need to go save money in the process,” said President Toni Preckwinkle. “TRIP makes it even more cost-effective for people to travel by bus or train and we encourage employers and employees to sign up.”
Normally, employees earn their income, are taxed, and then pay to ride transit to get to work. With employers offering a pre-tax transit benefit program through TRIP, employees can lower their tax burden by hundreds of dollars per year, depending on their transit costs and tax bracket. In addition to saving employees money increased transit use helps reduce congestion and improve air quality.
“We appreciate President Preckwinkle’s leadership to promote transit and publicize a special opportunity for employers to financially benefit by signing employees up for TRIP,” said Joe Costello, RTA Executive Director, who attended the press conference. The RTA has engaged in legislative advocacy to encourage Congress to establish parity with the parking pre-tax benefit.
TRIP benefits employers as well. Participating businesses will reduce their payroll taxes while providing a valuable benefits program to their employees. Between now and February 10, Cook County employers that join TRIP will receive direct payouts that can total hundreds of dollars. Participating employers will receive:
• $30 for any new employee who signs up for the pre-tax transit benefits.
• An additional $200 for companies that are introducing a pre-tax transit benefit program for the first time and enroll five of more employees.
President Preckwinkle presented a check to General Growth Properties in the amount of $720 and to the law firm of Daley, Mohan and Groble in the amount of $980. These are just two of the 180 companies that have taken advantage of the program so far.
“The Center for Neighborhood Technology and RTA answered our questions, walked us through the initial process, and supported us in offering our employees transit benefits,” said Kathi Roccanova, Daley, Mohan and Groble’s office manager. “Our employees love the tax savings and we love being able to offer them this monthly benefit.”
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which helps administer TRIP, provides one-on-one consultation with businesses interested in enrolling in the program, addresses company concerns, and walks through the initial steps in providing these low-cost, money-saving, employee benefits.
Companies and employees are encouraged to visit www.lesstaxingcommute.com to learn more about pre-tax transit benefits and TRIP. Companies interested in providing these transportation benefits to their employees can email jdrew@cnt.org for more information.
Funding for TRIP is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The Cook County Department of Environmental Control administers the program in coordination with CNT and RTA.
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 18, 2012)—The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), as a partner in Livability Solutions, has been selected to provide technical assistance to the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP) of Detroit, Michigan, and the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission of Maumee, Ohio. CNT will assist both communities in learning how to use CNT-designed tools to quantify and advocate for the benefits of green infrastructure as a means of stormwater management. CNT’s tools—the Green Infrastructure Valuation Guide and the Green Values® National Stormwater Management Calculator—were designed to assist communities in promoting sustainability to improve their quality of life and implement local development plans.
“We are pleased to be working with these two community organizations which are committed to improving the quality of life of their residents,” said Scott Bernstein, CNT’s president. “Each of these communities have specific challenges to address—from developing and implementing plans to address vacant land and blighted property to engaging residents in sustainability planning.”
Ten communities were selected to receive free technical assistance this year from among 64 applications. The 10 governments and organizations selected represent a diverse group of communities from across the United States, from large cities to rural counties. All have a strong commitment to sustainability and smart growth and are poised to implement positive change by making use of the assistance offered by Livability Solutions partners.
In addition to LEAP and the Toledo-Lucas Sustainability Commission, the other eight recipients are:
- Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, Little Rock, AR
- Colfax on the Hill, Inc., Denver, CO
- Charlotte County, FL
- Gulf Regional Planning Commission, Gulfport, MS
- City of Blue Springs, MO
- University City District, Philadelphia, PA
- Anthithesis Research, Wellpoint, WA
- West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Eau Claire, WI
Each community will receive a one- or two-day training session with an expert from one of the Livability Solutions partners on the issue of their choice. In addition to CNT, the partners who will be delivering technical assistance this year are:
This technical assistance is made possible by a grant to Project for Public Spaces from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Sustainable Communities under the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The Building Blocks program funds quick, targeted assistance to communities that face common development problems. Three other nonprofit organizations—Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy), Global Green USA, and Smart Growth America—also received competitively awarded grants under this program this year to help communities achieve their sustainable development goals.
Interested communities are encouraged to check the Livability Solutions website periodically for additional opportunities for technical assistance. Interested foundations, organizations, and individuals who want to support assistance to one of the 53 other qualified applications are encouraged to contact Livability Solutions at livabilitysolutions@pps.org. Click here for information on other opportunities to work with Livability Solutions or here for training and technical assistance offered by Project for Public Spaces or our partners.
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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on climate, energy, water, transportation, and community development. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
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Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Incentive encourages transit use, cost savings, and convenience with joint card
CHICAGO (January 5, 2011)—Between now and February 29, people who sign up for a joint Chicago Card Plus I-GO card for use on the CTA and in I-GO Car Sharing vehicles will receive $50 in transit credit and a heavily discounted I-GO membership. The Chicago Card Plus I-GO card is the only one of its kind in the nation, allowing a seamless transfer between public transit and a car sharing vehicle.
Participants can enroll at http://tinyurl.com/ye6flbe.
“If you’ve been thinking about ditching your car and simplifying your life with transit and car sharing, there’s never been a better time to make the leap,” said Kathryn Tholin, director of Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which is administering the incentive program on behalf of Cook County. “Owning a car is expensive, a hassle, and can have a large carbon footprint. Using integrated transit and car sharing instead of owning a car is good for people’s budgets, stress levels, and the environment.”
“CTA has long supported initiatives that reduce emissions and promote sustainability–two main goals of the transit services we offer,” CTA President Forrest Claypool said. “Public transit is an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and car sharing is a great complement to transit.”
“We’re pleased to be able to offer this terrific deal to people who want to reduce their transportation costs and get around more sustainably,” said Sharon Feigon, CEO of I-GO, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization whose members pay for cars by the hour, with gas and insurance included. “Affordable, environmental, integrated transportation is what I-GO is all about.”
Chicago Card Plus I-GO Incentive at a Glance:
- Ends February 29, 2012
- Applicants must be new I-GO members and pass a driving record check
- I-GO membership is $15 (a savings of $60)
- $50 in transit fare credit loaded to card within 10 days after application approval.
Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/ye6flbe.
The Cook County Department of Environmental Control is administering the program in coordination with CNT. Funding for this initiative is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to promote sustainable transportation options.
CONTACT:
Emily Robinson, Center for Neighborhood Technology, erobinson@cnt.org, 773-269-4043
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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on transportation, energy, water, community development, and climate. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
The CTA operates the nation’s second-largest public transportation system and covers the City of Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, approximately 1.6 million rides are taken on the CTA.
I-GO Car Sharing is dedicated to creating a robust and seamlessly integrated transportation system that is ubiquitous, convenient, and affordable for individuals, and provides the region with expanded economic development opportunities and exemplary environmental performance. I-GO is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). http://www.igocars.org/
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
CHICAGO (September 28, 2011)—An analysis of 51 LEED-certified green projects in Illinois found that most—specifically those that prioritized energy efficiency during the design and construction phase—use less energy than a typical commercial building. The study also showed that additional costs associated with green construction varied across projects, with a median value of $3.81 per square foot. In addition, building occupants are generally satisfied with their work environment and the commute to these LEED® projects.
“Not all green buildings are alike when it comes to energy efficiency,” said Anne Evens, director of the nonprofit CNT Energy, which conducted the study in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter (USGBC – Illinois). “Maximizing efficiency requires starting with the right priorities, monitoring usage, and tweaking operations and maintenance over the life of a building. Buildings account for a large portion of our global warming emissions here in Chicago, and building owners need to be diligent about efficiency to reduce emissions and save on utility bills.”
The study, “Regional Green Building Case Study: Year Two Report,” is a follow-up to a 2009 study that examined the energy usage and other environmental factors in 25 LEED-certified buildings in Illinois. Read more »
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
CHICAGO (September 7, 2011)—Although housing and transportation costs are currently affordable to most residents of Northwest Arkansas, high transportation costs and a growing demand for housing in walkable, centrally located neighborhoods are putting pressure on the region’s economic development efforts. That’s according to a new report by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, whose analysis of four Arkansas cities—Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale—is based on US Census data and 23 interviews with regional stakeholders.
Read more »
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 3, 2011)–The DC Office of Planning (OP) in cooperation with the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) released H+T in DC: Housing + Transportation Affordability in Washington, DC, a report that investigates how neighborhood characteristics such as proximity to jobs and access to transit vary across the region and affect household transportation costs.
The study found that average household transportation costs across the region ranged from $8,500 to as much as $25,000 per year for a typical household. Actual costs can be even lower when the neighborhood enables the residents to live without owning a car.
“Everyone knows that the cost of housing varies across neighborhoods throughout the region,” says Harriet Tregoning, Director of the Office of Planning. “But fewer people recognize the extent to which transportation costs vary by location and affect real affordability.”
The DC study is based on CNT’s Housing + Transportation (H+T®) Affordability Index, which uses US Census data to examine how neighborhood and household characteristics affect transportation costs such as car ownership and transit use. Since 2006, CNT has applied the H+T Index model to 337 U.S. metro regions. CNT will update the Index later this year using the most recent American Community Survey data from the Census Bureau.
For the DC study, OP worked with CNT to update regional data to reflect changes in housing costs and gas prices and improve the regional transit data and land use information. The Index holds household variables such as income and number of commuters constant to show how the built environment influences transportation costs. In doing so, the study highlights how land use planning decisions such as creating mixed-use developments and adding transit stops or streetcar lines would affect household transportation costs for a neighborhood.
The study fits into the goals of the Region Forward report by the Greater Washington 2050 Coalition of public, private and civic leaders. Region Forward sets a goal that average household housing and transportation cost in major job centers will not exceed 45 percent of the area median income.
“Our years of research show that transportation costs are a significant part of a household budget—sometimes exceeding housing expenses—and those costs vary significantly depending on where a person lives,” said Peter Haas, Chief Research Scientist for CNT. “Places that are ‘location efficient’, which offer multiple transportation options and access to amenities, tend to have low transportation costs. This helps residents be more economically resilient, and enables them to better weather economic adversity.”
“In the end, this is the big question,” says Harriet Tregoning. “How can we grow the region and become more resilient to economic ups and downs—whether it’s a credit crisis or volatile fuel prices? The Region Forward Coalition is working on this right now and this report, and the data behind it, will help inform the discussion.”
“We are at a critical time for the region,” says Dave Robertson, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. “We need to address the market pressures around our transit stations that force low-income families away from transit and develop a regional plan to channel growth around our transit investments that creates complete communities.”
Download the report at
http://www.cnt.org/repository/CNT-DC-HT-report.pdf
CONTACT:
Linda Wharton Boyd (EOM)
202.727.5011, linda.wharton-boyd@dc.gov
Tanya Washington-Stern (OP)
202.442.7635, tanya.washington@dc.gov
Emily Robinson, Center for Neighborhood Technology
773.269.4043, erobinson@cnt.org
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Saturday, July 9th, 2011
CHICAGO (July 9, 2011)—Gov. Patrick Quinn today signed two bills that will promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The bill signing was held at a West Loop Walgreens, whose parking lot currently has an EV charging station.
I-GO Car Sharing has been instrumental in fostering EV deployment in the state and advocating for passage of the two bills. I-GO is a Chicago-based nonprofit car sharing organization formed in 2002. Later this year I-GO will install 18 solar canopy charging stations to power 36 new electric vehicles with emissions-free electricity.
“I-GO is committed to being at the forefront of car sharing technology and sustainability and to providing pollution-free electric vehicles to our members is part of that commitment,” said Sharon Feigon, CEO of I-GO and present at the bill signing. “These two bills will help put Illinois in the lead on EVs, and I-GO is thrilled to be part of this effort.”
House Bill 2902 puts in place a framework for electric vehicle policy development for the state. The bill creates an Electric Vehicle Coordinator position within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This person will serve as the Quinn Administration’s point person on all things related to EVs. The bill also creates an Electric Vehicle Advisory Committee, comprised of a representative from environmental organizations, industry and government. The committee will develop policy recommendations that will be shared with the governor and the General Assembly for action.
House Bill 2903 amends the Alternate Fuel Vehicle program at Illinois EPA to create a grant opportunity for car sharing organizations to receive funding for the purchase of EVs. The existing program provides rebates to owners of alternate fuel vehicles, using money from a vehicle fleet fee dedicated for this purpose. The program has been underutilized in recent years, and this bill will allow more of the funding to be used to meet the program goals.
HB 2902 was sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Susan Garrett, and HB 2903 was sponsored by Rep. Williams and Sen. Heather Steans.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Chicago ranks 10th for metro areas its size with poor access to transit for seniors
Chicago IL – By 2015, more than 15.5 million Americans ages 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation service is poor or non-existent, a new study shows. That number is expected to continue to grow rapidly as the baby boom generation “ages in place” in suburbs and exurbs with few mobility options for those who do not drive.
The report, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options, ranks metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation, now and in the coming years, and presents other data on aging and transportation. The analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) evaluates metro areas within five size categories.
By 2015, 66 percent of seniors living in suburban Chicago will have poor transit access, while only 6 percent of seniors living in the City of Chicago will face poor transit options. The total number of seniors with poor access is projected to increase by 153,550 by 2015.
Metro Chicago ranks among the best for metro populations of 3 million and more. Atlanta ranks worst, followed by Riverside-San Bernardino, CA, Houston, Detroit and Dallas. In smaller areas such as Hamilton, OH will have 100 percent of seniors without access to public transportation. These conditions present a daunting challenge to local communities as a larger share of their population ages, increasing the demand for mobility options.
“The baby boom generation grew up and reared their children in communities that, for the first time in human history, were built on the assumption that everyone would always be able to drive an automobile,” said John Robert Smith, president and CEO of Reconnecting America and co-chair of Transportation for America. “What happens when people in this largest generation ever, with the longest predicted lifespan ever, outlive their ability to drive? That’s one of the questions we set out to answer in this report.”
“Transportation is typically the second highest expense for people, especially for those living in areas where driving is the only way to get around,” said Jacky Grimshaw, vice president of policy at CNT. “Poor transit access not only reduces independence for seniors, it also forces them to spend a large portion of their fixed incomes on transportation costs that could instead be paying for food and medicine.”
“For older individuals, access to safe, affordable and reliable public transportation is critical, said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. “But in Chicago, a growing number of older adults lack access to the transportation options they need. AARP commends Illinois PIRG and the rest of the Transportation for America coalition for raising awareness of this issue, and starting a conversation with Congress and other stakeholders aimed at generating solutions for the transportation needs of older Americans.”
Such a small percentage of older Americans relocate that researchers already are seeing the emergence of so-called “naturally occurring retirement communities.” That phenomenon is growing as baby boomers begin to turn 65. Today, 79 percent of seniors age 65 and older live in suburban or rural communities that are largely car-dependent.
“Baby Boomers are a vital part of our economy, and we need to make sure that our local communities and entire region provide options that meet their changing transportation needs,” said Peter Skosey, vice president, Metropolitan Planning Council. “Seniors work, shop, volunteer and recreate, and our transportation system, in particular our public transportation network, must enable them to continue to do all of those things to keep our economy strong.”
Research shows that without access to affordable travel options, seniors age 65 and older who can no longer drive make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59 percent fewer trips to shop or eat out, and 65 percent fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age. As the cost of owning and fueling a vehicle rises, many older Americans who can still drive nonetheless are looking for lower-cost options.
“The transportation issues of an aging America are national in scope, and cash-strapped state and local governments will be looking for federal support in meeting their needs,” Smith added. “As Congress prepares this summer to adopt a new, long-term transportation authorization, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options outlines policies to help ensure that older Americans can remain mobile, active and independent.”
Policy recommendations includes:
- Increase funding support for communities looking to improve service such as buses, trains, vanpools, paratransit and ridesharing;
- Provide funding and incentives for transit operators, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to engage in innovative practices;
- Encourage state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit operators to involve seniors and the community stakeholders in developing plans for meeting the mobility needs of older adults;
- Ensure that state departments of transportation retain their authority to “flex” a portion of highway funds for transit projects and programs;
- Include a “complete streets” policy to ensure that streets and intersections around transit stops are safe and inviting for seniors.
To view the full report and to see the extended rankings, please click http://t4america.org/resources/SeniorsMobilityCrisis2011
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TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA (T4) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision — transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment, and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. www.t4america.org
Founded in 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on climate, energy, natural resources, transportation, and community development. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
Since 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. As an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth. www.metroplanning.org
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