SEPTEMBER 2025
Santa Monica
Aging and Disability
Action Plan
City of Santa Monica
Housing and Human Services Department
Homelessness Prevention and
Intervention Division
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Table of
Contents
Acknowledgements 3
Executive Summary 5
Equity By Design: The Action Plan Advisory Committee 7
Values, Vision, Mission 8
Demographics Snapshot - Older Adults, People with Disabilities, and Caregivers 9
Community Needs Assessment 12
Process & Findings 12
Findings by Domain of Livability 14
Strategic Goals for Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan 18 Mobility, Access, & Inclusive Public Spaces 18
Connected & Resilient Community 20
Coordinated Communication & Outreach 22
Housing Stability & Affordability 23
Inclusive Emergency Preparedness 24
Next Steps 26
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Acknowledgements
Santa Monica City Council
City of Santa Monica, Housing and Human Services Department, Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division
California Department of Aging - Local Aging & Disability Action Planning Grant Program AARP
Action Plan Advisory Committee Members
Suleman Adeyemi, Co-Representative from City of Santa Monica Disabilities Commission Chris Baca, Community Member
Michael Baroff, Community Member
Glenda Berg, Community Member
Barbara Browning, Co-Representative from WISE & Healthy Aging Rene Buchanan, Community Member
Daphne Dennis, Community Member
Richard Diaz, City of Santa Monica Housing Division
Alex Elliott, Co-Representative from City of Santa Monica Disabilities Commission Janie Gates, Co-Representative from WISE & Healthy Aging John Kotick, Representative from Disability Community Resource Center Noelle Lewis, Community Member
Melissa Lo, Community Member
Patrick Nulty, City of Santa Monica Fire Department
Danny Price, City of Santa Monica Recreation & Arts Department Alfredo Torales, City of Santa Monica Department of Transportation Willa Wells, City of Santa Monica Human Services Commission
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Collaborative Partners
Disability Community Resource Center
WISE & Healthy Aging
Project Facilitators
City of Santa Monica Housing & Human Services Department Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division
Alana Riemermann, MSW, Senior Human Services Analyst
Elizabeth Anderson Consulting
Elizabeth Anderson, MSW, MPH, Principal and Founder
Rachel Behl, MSW, MPH, Consultant
Jason Harley, M.Ed., MSW, PhD, Consultant
Abbe Land, Consultant
Community Open House and Photography Support
Emeritus Program of Santa Monica College
Photography by Christopher Franco
Thank you to Santa Monica community members and partners who engaged in the needs assessment process by sharing their time, insights and feedback to shape the Action Plan.
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Executive
Summary
Introduction
The Santa Monica Aging and Disability Action Plan is a three-year roadmap (from 2026 to 2029) to make Santa Monica a more age- and disability-friendly community.
Background
Santa Monica began developing its Aging and Disability Action Plan in fall 2023, when the City’s Housing & Human Services Department secured a grant from the California Department of Aging. This funding launched the City’s effort to create a local age- and disability-friendly action plan addressing the current, emerging, and future needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. In spring 2024, the City kicked off the project, retaining a team from Elizabeth Anderson Consulting, and forming the Action Plan Advisory Committee in fall 2024.
Process
The Advisory Committee - composed of older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, subject matter experts, City staff, and commissioners - led a community-driven planning process. The group adopted core values to guide its work, analyzed community demographics, and guided the design of the spring 2025 community needs assessment using the World Health Organization’s Domains of Livability as a framework. The needs assessment included a widely publicized community survey as well as a community open house event and a series of focus groups.
Community Insights
Nearly 70% of Community Survey respondents favorably rated Santa Monica as an age-and disability-friendly community - due to the City’s significant investments in agingand disability-focused work. Through the needs assessment activities, the community shared valuable insights into their lived experience in Santa Monica. A cross-cutting
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theme in these community dialogues was a deeply felt sense of vulnerability across the Domains of Livability which are the community features that impact well-being, including outdoor spaces, transportation, civic participation and employment, housing, health services and community supports, social participation, respect and inclusion, and communication and information. Based on these findings, the Advisory Committee created a set of responsive goals to address the most pressing community priorities.
Action Plan Goals & Themes of Community Livability
This Action Plan identifies achievable, strategic goals organized under five themes of community livability, as follows:
1. Mobility, Access, & Inclusive Public Spaces: Improve streets, public spaces, and transit to support safe, accessible mobility for older adults and people with disabilities, day and night.
2. Connected & Resilient Community: Strengthen community by expanding social connections, volunteerism, and support systems.
3. Coordinated Communication & Outreach: Provide timely, clear, and multilingual information through both digital and traditional channels.
4. Housing Stability & Affordability: Expand affordable housing and improve access to resources that help residents of all ages and abilities to remain stably housed.
5. Inclusive Emergency Preparedness: Boost community resilience through preparedness education, neighborhood support, and inclusive emergency services.
These goals advance equity, access, and quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
Implementation and Next Steps
Led by the Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division in the Housing and Human Services Department, the team will coordinate the Action Plan implementation efforts. The Division will partner with a collaborative of City and community representatives to ensure lived experience remains central to implementation. This group will identify workflow processes and resources needed to reach each goal. The community will be updated regularly on progress towards the Action Plan’s goals through regular community presentations and information posted on the city website.
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Equity
By Design:
The Action Plan Advisory Committee
The Santa Monica Aging and Disability Action Plan is intentionally designed as a community-driven, equity-focused initiative grounded in the lived experience of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers who live and/or work in Santa Monica.
To ensure the plan reflects the realities and aspirations of the community, the City of Santa Monica and its consulting team facilitated a community-centered design process from the outset.
At the heart of this effort is the 16-seat Action Plan Advisory Committee – comprised of community members, subject matter experts, caregivers, older adults, people with disabilities, and representatives from City departments and commissions.
The Committee was formed through a broad outreach and recruitment effort to ensure diverse representation and a variety of expertise.
The Advisory Committee played a central role in shaping every aspect of the plan since their first convening in fall 2024. Members adopted shared values, reviewed demographic data, designed the community needs
assessment, and engaged in deep listening to understand what matters most to Santa Monica community members. Their contributions are the vision, values,
and strategic goals of the plan, providing a shared
commitment to building an even more inclusive,
responsive, and compassionate city—one where
all people can age and live with dignity, connection,
and purpose.
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Developed by the Advisory Committee
Values, Vision, Mission
Values
The Santa Monica Aging and Disability Action Plan is grounded in values that shape both process and outcomes:
• Respect – We honor the dignity of all individuals and value diverse viewpoints and lived experiences.
• Participation – We support active engagement, creating space for every voice to contribute meaningfully.
• Inclusiveness – We commit to communication and engagement that is accessible and culturally responsive.
• Joy in Process – We foster connection and community by making room for joy and shared moments.
• Care – We prioritize compassion and mutual support as essential to building an equitable city.
• Deep Listening – We practice active listening, ensuring feedback leads to thoughtful dialogue and responsive action.
Vision
The City of Santa Monica is a community where people of all ages, including older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, are respected, valued, included, and empowered to live with dignity, joy, and connection.
Mission
The City of Santa Monica honors and supports older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers by advancing inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure and a culture of respect, care, and participation. Through deep listening and communitycentered investment, we strive to create a livable city where everyone thrives.
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Older Adults,
People with Disabilities,
and Caregivers
Demographics
Snapshot
Older Adults
Santa Monica is home to a significant and growing population of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Today, nearly 20% of Santa Monica’s residents are 65 or older, which is a higher percentage than in Los Angeles County and the State of California. Of those, nearly half are over the age of 75, and more than one-third live alone—factors that increase vulnerability and highlight the need for tailored support systems. Ensuring language access is also essential for this community. Around 34% speak a language other than English at home, and nearly 18% have limited English proficiency, highlighting the need for multilingual services. Among the most common languages other than English are Amharic, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Farsi. While the older population is predominantly White (69.4%), a significant portion—about 30.6%—identify as people of color, including Latino, Asian, and Black residents. This racial and ethnic diversity, combined with language differences and varying health and income levels, shapes the diverse landscape of aging in Santa Monica.
Table 1: Demographic Snapshot of the Older Adults in Santa Monica
SANTA MON ICA LA COUNTY
Total Population
Older Adults (65y+)
% of Total Population
White 65y+
BIPOC 65y+
65y+ in Poverty
65y+ Living Alone
Non-English Speaking 65y+
Female 65y+
Adults 75y+
17,611
19.6%
12,222 (69.4%)
5,389 (30.6%)
2,941 (16.7%)
6,410 (36.4%)
3,117 (17.7%)
10,038 (57.0%)
8,418 (47.8%)
1,448,571
15%
549,008 (37.9%)
899,563 (62.1%)
208,594 (14.4%)
301,303 (20.8%)
524,383 (36.2%)
811,200 (56.0%)
605,503 (41.8%)
89,939 9,663,345
COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
Source: American Community Survey (ACS, 2023)
Percentages in parentheses reflect proportions of the older adult population age 65+.
SANTA MONICA AGING AND DISABILITY ACTION PLAN - DEMOGRAPHICS SNAPSHOT Today, nearly 20% of Santa Monica’s residents are 65 or older, which is a higher percentage than in Los Angeles County and the State of California. Of those, nearly half are over the age of 75, and more than one-third live alone
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People with Disabilities
People are living with disabilities across their lifespan in Santa Monica and rates increase sharply with age. Disability rates under age 65 hover around 13%, but this statistic is likely underreported. Roughly 18% of residents aged 65 to 74 have at least one disability, and the prevalence increases to 42% among those 75 and older. These disabilities range from mobility and sensory challenges to cognitive and mental health conditions. Approximately 70% of older adults with disabilities in Santa Monica are women, highlighting important gender considerations in service planning (ACS, 2023).
Table 2: Percent of population with a disability in each age group Health Status
Chronic health conditions and social isolation are areas of concern as well. Data from Los Angeles County shows that Latino and Black older adults experience higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and limited social support compared to their White and Asian peers. Additionally, the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is increasing across Los Angeles County - this is currently the third leading cause of death among adults 65 and older, and dementia cases are expected to nearly double by 2030. In Santa Monica, these health condition trends are present as well, especially among residents who live alone or have limited English proficiency (LA County Public Health Reports, 2020; California Department of Public Health Alzheimer’s Disease Program, 2022).
SANTA MON ICA LA COUNTY
Under 5
5 to 17
18 to 34
35 to 64
65 to 74
75+
0.0%
3.5%
3.6%
6.0%
17.6%
42%
0.6%
4.3%
5.3%
9.4%
23.4%
50%
AGE GROUP
Source: American Community Survey (ACS, 2023)
Disability rates under age 65 hover around
13%, but this statistic is likely underreported.
Roughly 18% of residents aged 65 to 74 have
at least one disability, and the prevalence
increases to 42% among those 75 and older.
Latino and Black
older adults
experience higher
rates of diabetes,
hypertension,
and limited social
support compared
to their White and
Asian peers.
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SANTA MONICA AGING AND DISABILITY ACTION PLAN - DEMOGRAPHICS SNAPSHOT P.11 Income and Housing Status
Economic security is a growing challenge. The median income for older adults in Santa Monica is about $59,000, yet nearly 18% live below the federal poverty level—higher than the county average. People of color, particularly Latino and Asian older adults, are disproportionately represented among older adults living in poverty. Based on state-level data, an estimated 22% of people with a disability between the ages of 21 and 64 live below the poverty line (American Community Survey, 2023). Housing cost burden is especially high among older renters and homeowners with mortgages, many of whom spend more than 30% of their income on housing (American Community Survey, 2023). Among people experiencing homelessness on the Westside, 15% are aged 60 or older, and 41% are living with a disability (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Homeless Count data, 2024).
Caregivers
Caregivers are another critical support for older
adults and people with disabilities in Santa Monica.
In the broader Westside region, nearly one in four
adults provides care for a loved one. Many caregivers are older themselves or balancing multiple roles, such as employment and parenting. With dementia rates rising and a large percentage of older adults living alone, the need for both formal and informal caregiving support is expected to grow (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2020).
Conclusion
Together, these demographic insights provide the foundation for Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan. The Action Plan’s strategic goals are directly informed by this data and the voices of community members who participated in the 2025 Aging and Disability Action Plan community needs assessment.
Economic security is
a growing challenge.
The median income
for older adults in
Santa Monica is about
$59,000, yet nearly
18% live below the
federal poverty
level—higher than
the county average.
In the broader Westside
region, nearly one in four
adults provides care for
a loved one.
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Process & Findings
Community Needs
Assessment
Needs Assessment Process
To ensure the Action Plan goals are community-driven, the Advisory Committee developed the needs assessment to center the lived experience of Santa Monica’s older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. The needs assessment collected people’s opinions, insights and experiences in Santa Monica across the Domains of Livability. The needs assessment was conducted February - April 2025 and promoted widely through City networks, community partners and a month-long advertising campaign in the Santa Monica Daily Press, both online and in print. The needs assessment offered opportunities to engage virtually, in-person, and in multiple languages, including American Sign Language.
The following activities brought a diverse perspective of community thoughts, needs and ideas into conversation:
Survey respondents were asked to voluntarily provide demographic information, which was reported as follows:
COMMUNITY
SURVEY
AGE
Average: 71.6 years
Median: 73 years
GENDER
Female: 75%
Male: 25%
RACE/ETHNICITY
White: 78%
Black: 5%
Latino/a: 7%
Asian: 7%
Native American: 3%
DISABILITY STATUS
35% indicated having
at least one disability
CAREGIVER STATUS
Current caregiver:
Unpaid: 10%
Paid: 3%
Former caregiver:
Unpaid: 39%
Paid: 5%
Not a caregiver: 43%
ZIP CODE
90401: 9%
90402: 9%
90403: 24%
90404: 22%
90405: 30%
Outside
Santa Monica: 7%
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Under $25,000: 21%
$25,000 - $49,999: 19%
$50,000 - $99,999: 14%
More than $100,000: 20%
Decline to state: 26%
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
1 person: 53%
2 people: 35%
3 people: 7%
4 people: 3%
More than 4: 2%
484 responses
COMMUNITY
OPEN HOUSE
50 attendees
COMMUNITY MEMBER
FOCUS GROUP
SERVICE PROVIDER
FOCUS GROUP
10 attendees 10 attendees
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The framework for gathering community input for the Action Plan was designed using the World Health
Organization’s Domains of Livability;
created to help cities become more
age- and disability-friendly. The
domains include key areas such
as housing, transportation, social
participation, and access to health
services—factors that influence
how well people can age and live
with dignity in their communities.
Needs Assessment Findings
Overall, community sentiment is positive - nearly 70% of survey respondents rated Santa Monica favorably as an age- and disability-friendly community. The focus groups and community conversations provided valuable insights into what is working well, what could be improved, and what steps can help make
Santa Monica even more age- and disability-friendly
moving forward.
A cross-cutting theme in the focus groups and community conversations was a deeply felt sense of vulnerability.
This vulnerability presented in people’s stories about
feeling isolated and disconnected from community life;
their concerns about housing affordability and aging in the community as their needs change; and facing barriers
and safety concerns related to using public transit,
sidewalks, busy crosswalks and other public open spaces.
SANTA MONICA AGING AND DISABILITY ACTION PLAN - COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT Nearly 70% of survey respondents rated Santa Monica favorably as an age- and disability-friendly community.
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Findings by Domain of Livability
Community Needs
Assessment
Community Needs
Community Needs
The community would benefit from expanded and flexible
options that accommodate diverse mobility needs,
including evenings and weekends.
There is a need for well-maintained, accessible sidewalks, pathways and streets, increased public restroom availability, improved lighting, and inclusive design that supports people of all abilities.
Most common ways of getting around:
70% drive own car
70% walk
39% take Big Blue Bus
Public transit concerns are safety related:
61% while riding
55% at bus stops
75% say city libraries were rated the most
age- and disability-friendly city facilities
Beaches and city hall were rated as less
age- and disability-friendly city spaces
74% say sidewalks meet needs
40% are satisfied with sidewalk maintenance
Key concerns about the public right of way are:
48% unsafe intersections
42% streets
SURVEY INSIGHTS
SURVEY INSIGHTS
TRANSPORTATION
OUTDOOR SPACES
AND BUILDINGS
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98% have health insurance and a regular place
for healthcare
15% find it difficult to afford food
56% have been caregivers
Top caregiving challenge is emotional stress
and burnout (selected by 73% of caregivers)
75% reported daily social contact and
81% feel satisfied with their current level
of social contact
65% participate in community activities
34% want to participate but cannot
Community Needs
Community Needs
There is a need for more coordinated services,
expanded access to in-home care, and increased
support for caregivers to sustain their own health
and independence as they care for others.
Community members are seeking more culturally relevant, local, and inclusive opportunities for connection to reduce isolation and foster community belonging.
SURVEY INSIGHTS
SURVEY INSIGHTS
SOCIAL
PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY AND
HEALTH SERVICES
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Santa Monica welcomes all: 84% agree
Feel respected: 82% agree
Feel included: 77% agree
Mobility challenges is the most common
disability-related barrier to participation: 66%
58% of respondents do not feel financially
secure for retirement
32% are employed or looking for work
36% currently volunteer
There is a need to promote public awareness about
aging and disabilities, including dementia-friendly
practices, to ensure all individuals feel seen, respected, and valued in community spaces.
The community would benefit from increased access
to flexible and meaningful volunteer and employment
opportunities, as well as easier pathways to civic
participation.
SURVEY INSIGHTS
SURVEY INSIGHTS
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
AND EMPLOYMENT
RESPECT AND
INCLUSION
Community Needs
Community Needs
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SANTA MONICA AGING AND DISABILITY ACTION PLAN - COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT P.17 Cited as the most pressing reasons people would
consider moving:
49% Housing costs
39% Cost of living
62% are not aware of aging-in-place resource
During an emergency:
21% need assistance from emergency personnel
30% need transportation assistance
32% are not prepared or need help preparing for
a 72-hour emergency
Top sources of information:
65% Santa Monica Daily Press
47% SaMo News
46% word of mouth
40% internet websites
Preference for printed materials and personal outreach
To ensure everyone can stay informed and connected,
clear, simple, multilingual, and accessible communication is needed across both digital and non-digital platforms.
There is a growing demand for more affordable, accessible, and diverse housing options that support residents to age in the community as their needs change.
SURVEY INSIGHTS
SURVEY INSIGHTS
Community members would benefit from inclusive,
easy-to-understand emergency preparedness resources—
especially those that do not rely solely on digital access.
SURVEY INSIGHTS
COMMUNICATION
AND INFORMATION
Community Needs
HOUSING
Community Needs
EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
Community Needs
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For Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan
Strategic Goals
The Action Plan identifies achievable, strategic goals organized under five themes of community livability.
The Action Plan’s strategic goals advance City Council priorities of economic opportunity and growth; clean streets and safe neighborhoods; and affordable, livable and secure housing for all.
The Action Plan also connects with interdepartmental strategic plans spanning mobility, homelessness, housing, equity and diversity, ADA accessibility, parks and recreation, behavioral health, public safety, and emergency preparedness, as well as regional and statewide initiatives like Purposeful Aging Los Angeles and the California Master Plan for Aging.
Quotes below are from community members who
participated in the 2025 needs assessment activities.
MOBILITY, ACCESS, & INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SPACES
Domains of Livability: Transportation; Outdoor Spaces
and Buildings
Community priorities in this area inform the focus on improving the public right-of-way and creating more vibrant, welcoming outdoor spaces and public facilities that ensure accessibility for the diversity of ways people move, rest, and navigate in these environments throughout the day and night. Additionally, there is a focus on increasing flexibility, comfort, and accessibility of transit choices while acknowledging that driving and walking continue to be an important option for older adults and people with disabilities to safely get to and from community locations. "I think it has the
ability to be a really
great age friendly
city in terms of
accessibility,
especially [since]
certain areas are
so walkable.”
– Community Member
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“You can’t get
across Wilshire
Boulevard before
the light changes.”
– Community Member
Goals:
a. Expand On-Demand Transit - Expand operating hours of the Mobility on Demand Every Day (MODE) transportation service for adults aged 65+ or 18+ with a disability to 8am - 6pm, seven days a week. Note: current operating hours are M-F, 8am-4:30pm; Saturday, 8:30-4pm,
Sunday service is currently suspended.
Complete by Year 3.
b. Place Seating at More Bus Stops - Install and
maintain seating at 85% of all bus stops in the City,
prioritizing high-usage routes and areas with higher
concentrations of older adults and people with
disabilities. Complete by Year 3.
c. Enhance Safety on Public Transit - Big Blue Bus to continue its focus on cleanliness and safety by maintaining transit security officer hours on local bus routes. Implement Year 1- Year 3. d. Create an Aging Lens for Equity - Informed Mobility and Safety Enhancements – Create tools to determine and map density and location of older adults and people with disabilities. This data would be used by City departments (Public Works Department and Department of Transportation) when evaluating roadway and public right of way safety enhancements (e.g., crosswalks enhancements and sidewalk repairs).” Complete by Year 3.
e. Repair Sidewalks on a Regular Basis - Public Works Department to continue its focus on public safety and accessibility by repairing two sidewalks a month per City Sidewalk Repair Policy.
Implement Year 1- Year 3.
f. Increase Accessibility in City-Owned Facilities -
Propose a Capital Improvement Project in the City’s
FY 26-27 Biennial Budget to conduct the City’s
required ADA compliance audit of City-owned facilities
(buildings, parks, outdoor spaces) to create an ADA
transition plan, with an enhanced recommendation
or wayfinding to support access and circulation
Implement Year 1; Complete by Year 3.
“I need a bench every few
blocks…it’s not a luxury,
it’s how I can still leave
the house without fear.”
– Community Member
"I would love to
join a garden group,
but the path there
is gravel and I use
a walker.”
– Community Member
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CONNECTED & RESILIENT COMMUNITY
Domains of Livability: Community and Health Services; Social Participation; Respect and Inclusion; Civic Participation and Employment Community priorities in this area focus on strengthening community by creating social experiences, volunteer opportunities and spaces to purposefully connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. The focus also includes enhancing public system readiness to respond to the unique needs of this population.
Goals:
a. Enhance Social Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities - Identify internal or external funding sources to reinstate Santa Monica Adaptive Recreation and Sports Social Club, and Explorer's Program, to create social experiences for people with disabilities ages 13+, and their friends, via weekly social connection, and monthly excursions, supported by a City staff member and volunteers. Complete by Year 3.
b. Strengthen Intergenerational Connections - Pilot four intergenerational programs at existing community hubs with potential partners to include City departments and community organizations and groups. Complete by Year 2. c. Explore Feasibility of a Santa Monica Village - Study models and funding sources to determine feasibility of seeding a grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor Santa Monica Village, which is a volunteer-driven organization that builds community through social programs, and coordinates support services like
non-medical household tasks and
transportation. Complete by Year 3.
d. Increase Caregiver Support -
Expand and promote support
programs for family caregivers in
partnership with community organizations, with the goal of increasing caregiver participation; inclusive of
support groups, trainings, caregiver
check-ins, respite care, and mental
health help. Complete by Year 2.
“Want to go out at
night? Apparently
we don’t. Want to go
to church on Sunday?
You can’t get there
without a car…
it’s hard to find
someone to help.”
– Community Member
“Just tell me
where to go and
what I can do.
I’m not done
giving back.”
– Community Member
“It’s a very
frustrating and
lonely endeavor
to be a caregiver…
we need a support
social group where
we can vent, exchange guidance,
and feel heard.”
– Community Member
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e. Reduce Isolation and Strengthen Connection to Community Services - Complete an inventory of friendly calling programs serving older adults and people with disabilities in Year 1. Use findings to identify service gaps, inform upcoming funding opportunities, and guide updates to the City’s online resource listings. Complete Year 1.
f. Increase Awareness about Government Benefits -
Host annual in-person resource fairs focused on topics
such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and care
services at libraries, senior centers, and other community locations. Host two events annually, helping 200+ people each year. Implement Year 1 - Year 3.
g. Host Community and Health Services Information
on City Website - Create a comprehensive listing of
community and health services on the City’s website to
be shared with residents via a variety of communication methods. Resources to include links to City programs, non-profit agencies, social events/clubs, and other government services for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Complete by Year 3.
h. Enhance Police Responsiveness to the Needs of Elder and Dependent Adults - Every two years, provide training to educate Santa Monica Police Department’s sworn officers on how to best respond to and assist elder and dependent adults. Implement Year 1 - Year 3.
“It’s not just
about getting
services — people
want to be part of
something. They
want to feel like
they still belong.”
– Community Member
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COORDINATED COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
Domains of Livability: Communication and Information;
Community and Health Services
Community priorities in this area inform the focus on empowering people with easy to understand, timely, and multilingual information via channels that take advantage of technology while continuing to use traditional, printed, and interpersonal communication methods.
Goals:
a. Inventory of Outreach and Promotion Tactics - Produce an inventory of existing communication and outreach tactics across departments.
Complete by Year 1.
b. Standardize Outreach and Promotion Tactics - Enhance the City’s communication/outreach protocol with standardized guidance on how to promote information through tactics that connect with the range of ways people get information beyond digital, e.g. print, word-of-mouth, flyers, mail, billboards, information posted at City and community-partner locations; leverage digital accessibility standards, and provide guidance on strategies to equitably engage diverse older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Complete by Year 3.
“Make it bigger.
Make it simple.
No fancy
language.”
– Community Member
“So many people I
know don’t use the
computer. It becomes
a clique – those who
get the information
and the rest of us who
don’t hear anything.”
– Community Member
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HOUSING STABILITY & AFFORDABILITY
Domains of Livability: Housing
Community priorities in this area focus on increasing housing stability by expanding affordable options and making housing resources focused on retention easier to find, understand, and use for people across ages, abilities and incomes.
Goals:
a. Expand Rental Assistance - Increase the number of older adults and people with disabilities receiving financial assistance to maintain housing or cover basic living expenses by 30%. Complete by Year 3.
b. Expand the City’s Preserving our Diversity (POD) Program - Increase the number of participants in the POD program from 220 to 300 people.
Complete by Year 3.
c. Increase Awareness about Housing Resources - Host three housing workshops annually with information for older adults and people with disabilities —held at libraries, parks, or nonprofit community partners—focused on resources that support housing retention and address housing crises, reaching a total of 100 attendees. Implement Year 1- Year 3.
d. Develop more Affordable Housing for Older Adults
and People with Disabilities - Develop or enter into predevelopment for 50 low income, 50 very low income, and 50 extremely low income units for older adults and people with disabilities, for a total of 150 affordable units.
Complete by Year 3.
"...I feel like I am part
of the community. I
have lived here. It’s
my community."
– Community Member
“Every year the rent
goes up. I don’t know
how much longer I
can stay where I am.”
– Community Member
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INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Domains of Livability: Emergency Preparedness
Community priorities in this area inform the focus on fostering community resilience by expanding emergency preparedness education, strengthening neighborhood capacity, ensuring support for residents with access and functional needs.
Goals:
a. Increase Support Available to Vulnerable
Populations during Emergencies - Host four
community enrollment events annually to encourage
older adults and people with disabilities to register
for the Santa Monica Fire Department’s Community
Connect – a free emergency preparedness program
which allows residents to share details about their
household’s access and functional needs (including
pets) to inform the Fire Department’s situational
awareness during emergencies. Goal to outreach
to 1,000 households total from this target population.
Complete by Year 3.
b. Increase Emergency Preparedness among Older Adults and People with Disabilities - Host four emergency preparedness educational and outreach events annually with a specific focus on preparing older adults and people with disabilities. Work with Santa Monica Neighborhood Councils, places of worship, libraries, non-profit organizations, schools, and other community-based settings to promote the trainings. Implement Year 1 - Year 3.
c. Support Property Manager Readiness for Emergency Evacuations - Identify and promote existing resources that outline evacuation steps for building managers and provide to 100% of Assisted Living and Senior Housing facilities in Santa Monica. Complete by Year 2.
“If the power
goes out, I lose my
oxygen. I need to
know someone
will come help me.”
– Community Member
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d. Enhance City’s Emergency Management Plans for Safe
Evacuation of People with Access and Functional Needs – In alignment with Local Hazard Mitigation Plan commitments, City emergency management, first responders and other service providers to create all-department city evacuation plan, focusing on wildfire, tsunami and dam inundation evacuation.
Plan to include processes to support the safe evacuation of people with access and functional needs, including those in assisted living or high-rise buildings and those without access to private transportation. Complete by Year 1.
e. Enhance Transit Partners Readiness for Emergency Evacuations – As part of city’s evacuation planning process, City Office of Emergency Management and Santa Monica Fire Department to convene local transit partners to contribute to city’s emergency evacuation planning process. Once plan is approved, transit partners to review annually for updates (e.g., evaluating evacuation routes, potential of expanding Big Blue Bus MODE service area or services hours under emergency declaration). Complete by Year 2.
f. Increase Availability of High-Rise Building Evacuation Tools - Santa Monica Fire Department to identify and secure external funding resources to install evacuation chairs or other emergency evacuation devices (e.g., Med Sled) in 5 high-risk buildings. Complete by Year 3.
“We don’t need a
flashy plan—we need
to know someone
has our back.”
– Community Member
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Moving from Planning to Action
Next Steps
The Santa Monica Aging and Disability Action Plan marks the beginning of a three-year effort to make the community even more age- and disability-friendly.
With strategic goals in place, the next steps focus on partnership, implementation, and progress tracking.
To build community awareness and broad momentum around Santa Monica’s priority to become even more age- and disability-friendly, progress towards the Action Plan goals will be shared with the community via regular community presentations, written updates to City Council, on the City website, and via social media posts. At the end of the three-year implementation, the City will assess the impact of implementing the plan and submit a progress report to AARP as part of expectations of being a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
The City is committed to transparency, deep listening, working with community partners and an adaptive implementation of the process to reach the goals of Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan.
We invite the community to stay engaged - this is your plan! Online: santamonica.gov/aging-and-disability-action-plan Phone: (310) 458-2200 x. 5771
Email: [email protected]
City of Santa Monica
Housing and Human Services Department
Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division
SANTA MONICA AGING AND DISABILITY ACTION PLAN - NEXT STEPS
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