Hedy Williamson grew up in Laguna Beach, enjoys the community and most days can be found spending hours at her art studio off of Laguna Canyon Road. “I love being here and seeing my friends, unfortunately I just don’t get to live here,” she said. Williamson, age 63 is just one face amidst an aging population in Laguna Beach, a critical issue discussed during the City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Survey information regarding the housing needs of seniors, was presented to councilmembers and an assembled group of involved citizens, who hoped to get a better understanding of the housing concerns held by the senior and elderly population.
The impetus for the project, developed and driven by the city’s Senior Housing Task Force was to “determine public interest in policies and programs that would assist aging in place,” according to the city staff report. The aging in place term refers to seniors having the financial and care services capacity to remain living in their current residences.
The presentation of the survey findings were conducted by Laura Gil-Trejo M.A., M.P.H from the Social Science Research Center of California State University, Fullerton, which coordinated the gathering, results and reporting of the data.
Close to 3,000 surveys were mailed to target residents age 55 and over, with 651 responding. Interesting details emerged as Trejo walked the council and those gathered though the results. 84 percent expressed plans to live in their residence as they age, with 89 percent indicating a desire to continue to live in Laguna Beach.
Cost of living was cited as a primary reason for Laguna residents not interested in staying in the city, along with the presence in their residence of stairs. Perhaps the most striking finding from the survey was respondents’ (nine of 10) high priority in staying in their home as important or very important relative to their future housing needs.
“I had the opportunity to purchase my mother’s home seven years ago,” said Williamson, who currently lives in Laguna Woods. “But, it was priced out of reach. There are really a lack of affordable retirement options, and renting in Laguna Beach is exorbitant.”
Affordability and cost of living were not the only concerns expressed in the survey, transportation options and access to services also were highlighted. Speaking to these issues, Task Force Chair, Kristine Thalman indicated: “We have identified our first phase as creating a Virtual Village, a volunteer-based concept for coordinated assisted living services,” she said. “Over half of our population is over the age of 55, and most people want to stay in their homes.” The Virtual village would offer seniors, access to a suite of care services at a lower cost option ($100 a month) than traditional assisted living options.
Liaison to the Task Force, councilmember Rob Zur Schmiede indicated that “the best way to provide senior housing is to help people stay in their homes.”
Councilmember Toni Iseman, questioned the possibility of providing financial incentives for seniors to mitigate cost modifications, procedures to avoid variances and reduce fees.
“If we do not want to lose the flavor and diversity that is important to the city, we need to try to find ways for seniors and the elderly to remain, as well as affordability for young people as well,” said Williamson.
The Task Force is expected to deliver its recommendations to the City Council based on the survey findings by year-end 2015.
