In a decisive move toward fostering an inclusive community, the Santa Monica City Council has endorsed the city's inaugural Aging and Disability Action Plan. As reported by the City of Santa Monica, this plan is a strategic vision aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older residents, those with disabilities, and their caregivers over the next three years.
With Santa Monica's demographic landscape transforming, where nearly one in five residents is 65 or over, the need for immediate planning becomes evident, with many serving as caregivers or living with disabilities. The city looks forward to launching the implementation of the Plan in early 2026, following monetary support secured through a California Department of Aging Local Aging & Disability Action Planning grant in 2023, as per the City of Santa Monica. Strategy formation for the plan was steered by an Advisory Committee made up of city staff and Santa Monica citizens, culminating in engagement with over 500 individuals through surveys, focus groups, and a multilingual open house.
Despite nearly 70% acknowledging Santa Monica as being age-and disability-friendly in the conducted surveys, the city recognized areas necessitating significant improvements. These prioritized needs encompass affordable housing address, enhancing accessibility of transportation and public spaces, delivering clear multilingual information, and reinforcing emergency preparedness. "This plan reflects the voices of hundreds of residents and gives us a clear, actionable roadmap for the next three years," stated Mayor Lana Negrete, the City of Santa Monica noted.
For more details on this forward-thinking initiative, the public is encouraged to visit the city's official website. Public Information Officer Tati Simonian can be contacted for further inquiries at [email protected].
