Commission on Aging
2/27/2023
The Honorable Katie Cristol
Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Ave.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22202
Re: Expanded Housing Ordinance Proposal
Dear Ms. Cristol and Members of the County Board:
This letter is written in support of changes to Arlington County zoning rules to allow for the construction of 2 – 6-unit buildings in neighborhoods now zoned as single-family residences. Further, this letter is in support of changes to the GLUP that recognizes that the single-family zoning policies were part of the exclusionary zoning legacy and not consistent with Arlington’s vision to be diverse, inclusive, and accessible. As such, these shameful policies of the past need to change.
In 2020 the County Board adopted the Age Friendly Plan which summarizes strategies for our community to become more livable for individuals of all ages. The vision that guides both the work of the Arlington Age Friendly Plan and the Commission on Aging, as it applies to older Arlington adults, is to ensure that Arlington is a community where older persons thrive. Access to housing of all types is a critical component of succeeding with this vision.
Between the years 2012-2018 the older adult cohort reflected the largest population growth of all age groups in the County. Demographers predict that this trend will continue especially among the 85 year and older population with a growth rate of nearly 81% between 2015 – 2040.1 Current housing options may not be suitable for this major growth in the Arlington aging population especially those residents with mobility and other challenges. A 2022 statewide survey of older adults concerning community livability (conducted pursuant to the 2024 -2027 State Plan for Aging Services) found that in Arlington the area showing the greatest need for improvement was housing (24%); and only 15% of Arlington respondents gave a positive score to the availability of affordable quality housing in their communities.2 The proposed Enhanced Housing Options will provide newly constructed, smaller ground floor units and possibly more accessible choices that do not currently exist in Arlington.
There are several reasons these Expanded Housing Options appeal to and benefit older Arlington adults. First, while these types of units do exist on a very limited basis in a few parts of the County, they are often in older buildings that require more maintenance and upkeep than new construction and are not age friendly. Upkeep and maintenance are factors that older adults prefer avoiding in their declining years.
Second, the Expanded Housing Options allow older adults to age in place. They will provide more choice for older adults who may not want to live in a building with an elevator, to downsize but stay in Arlington. Arlington older adults are a benefit to the community. They make important financial contributions and volunteer, as well as being part of Arlington’s history and diversity.
Third, Expanded Housing Options may offer older adults the ability to remain in their own neighborhoods by either moving to a new 2-6 unit building in their neighborhood or modifying their own home such that they can occupy a newer, smaller, more age friendly unit. Many of these older adults will remain healthy and desire to continue to live independently but in homes smaller than the ones than the ones in which they raised their families. The Enhanced Housing Options offer more opportunity for these empty-nesters who wish to stay in Arlington close to family, friends, and doctors.
Fourth, Expanded Housing Options facilitate family connections. More options allow those older adults with grown children nearby to remain close to them. Further, the options allow for home modifications that may result in intergenerational living within the same building. This will reduce isolation, which as we saw in the pandemic can erode health and well-being.
Fifth, smaller Expanded Housing Option units will be more financially attainable to home care, nursing home, and assisted living staff. Housing cost should not be a disincentive and burden for them as they pursue their challenging jobs.
The Expanded Housing Ordinance proposal presents a number of options as to size, design, and site area requirements. The Commission on Aging has no specific recommendation as to these subjects. Rather, the Commission urges the County Board to adopt those options that will promote the construction of these units rather than be a barrier or hurdle to construction. Arlington is in desperate need of less costly housing as opposed to the 4000 square foot plus single-family homes now being constructed. Without more housing choices many Arlington older adults wishing to downsize will be forced to leave the County.
However, the Commission on Aging makes the following three recommendations as the County pursues the Expanded Housing Options:
First, while accessible and universal design is not specifically a zoning issue, the Commission urges County officials to maximize awareness of universal design features that promote environments usable by a wide range of people regardless of age or disability status, and spaces that are fully livable for all.
Second, mobility is critical for older adults to access services and to prevent isolation. While the Commission takes no position on the parking options, we urge the County to consider, in evaluating the options, that older people may require greater proximity to transit networks. Walking one-quarter or one-half mile from parking to transit may be difficult or impossible for many.
Finally, the Commission does recommend that the Board limit development to 58 units per year and end this cap in 5 years. The Commission believes that any stringent cap requirement will disincentivize development when the goal should be to encourage development for the reasons stated herein. Further, the history of enhanced housing development options in other communities teaches that there is no rush to develop these housing types. Development in other communities has totaled about 20 units per year. Therefore, a cap may have no practical effect, but could help to achieve community consensus. Implementing a cap but then reassessing the cap at five years will be like a pilot in which to evaluate results. Indeed, Mr. Dorsey’s January 3 remarks state that “planning should be iterative, allowing us to course correct when necessary and evolve over time.”
The Commission on Aging applauds the Board’s long and thoughtful approach to this issue in the best tradition of the Arlington way. But now is the time to act. Arlington, especially older adult Arlingtonians, need more housing choices. The Expanded Housing Ordinance proposal provides a way to achieve this objective.
Sincerely,
Linda Kelleher
Chair, Commission on Aging
cc: Anita Friedman, Director, Department of Human Services Deborah Warren, Deputy Director, Department of Human Services Maimoona Bah-Duckenfield, Director, Aging and Disability Services Division Rachel Coates, Bureau Director, Community Supports and Coordination Helen King, Program Director, Agency on Aging