Lynn Blood, an AIM member, lives at one of the 5,000 buildings that was built or refurbished with Housing Initiative Fund monies.

BACKGROUND:

If we are fortunate, we grow old.  As a nation we are living longer and longer, while at the same time, our economic situation is worse than ever.  Our County and nation are not acting upon this new reality. That is why AIM, our sister organization in Howard County and five other IAF affiliates have recently launched Senior Issue Organizing campaigns.

WHAT WE ARE HEARING SO FAR…

• "Our economic situation has changed.  We now have to support our unemployed adult children.  If this continues, we will need to move out of our current senior facility.”
• “My rent has increased the last two years, but not social security. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to fully retire.”
• “There is a waiting list of 300 at the affordable housing senior facility near me.”
• “We are not eligible for affordable senior housing, but we cannot afford any other housing options.”
• “I don’t want to live in a ‘Senior Island’ like Leisure World or Asbury Village.  I want to live in multi-generational community where I can contribute in meaningful ways to the community."  
• "If we had an accessory apartment in our home with a young person living in it, that would make me feel safer."
• “We want to stay in our homes as long as possible. And, we don’t have a Plan B.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

I want to host a House Meeting on Senior Issues at my congregation/home.
(It is through this grass-roots process that AIM determines AIM’s Issue Agenda.)

I want to attend the next AIM Action Team Meeting on Senior Issues

AIM’S PAST SENIOR ISSUES VICTORIES:

• $224 million for the Housing Initiative Fund (HIF), affordable housing monies, since 2003.  These funds have been used to build and refurbish many of the senior facilities throughout the county.

• $30 million to renovate four Community Centers – places that are important gathering places for seniors as well as youth and younger families.

• Major Taxi Reform. AIM’s efforts to improve taxi service resulted in the passage of the first major taxi reform of the industry in fifteen years, which will improve the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities who rely on cabs for transportation.

• A Shelter and Benches at a Public Bus Stop in front of Senior Low-Income Housing. 

• Windows Fixed at Low-Income Senior Housing Building, Willow Manor.