Housing, Planning, and Zoning Initiative
New York State Office for the Aging
New York State Department of State
Innovative initiative – The New York State Office for the Aging and the New York State Department of State are pleased to advance a new initiative to help municipalities better plan for the housing and community needs of the State's older people, younger people with disabilities, families, and caregivers. Municipalities will be provided with information, technical assistance, and examples of models and practices related to: housing, universal design, planning, land use, zoning, energy alternatives and efficiency, green-building, mobility, and transportation.
Governor David Paterson and the State Legislature have directed that these resources be widely disseminated as a means for supporting communities' efforts to develop a variety of housing alternatives, incorporate new and innovative building design and energy ideas, and institute creative planning approaches and zoning strategies.
The Housing, Planning, and Zoning Initiative's Affiliate Partners
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
USDA Rural Development State Office
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal
View power point presentations from statewide meeting convened on September 4, 2008, to launch the new Initiative.
View a member list and set of draft guidelines developed by Five Advisory Workgroups, which were established under the Initiative and made up of experts from across the State. The Workgroups, which convened on October 1, 2009, developed recommendations that would help facilitate the ability of communities to address barriers and challenges to housing and community development.
View a draft technical assistance manual developed under the Initiative, which will be distributed to municipalities across the State.
Population and policy trends in New York State
underscore the importance and timeliness of this Initiative—
New York's changing population – The profile of New York's communities is changing significantly . . . due to the aging of the baby boomers; increasing longevity; the shifting proportional balance between the elderly and non-elderly populations; loss of specific population groups to other states; and the increasing diversity of our residents, which stems from our robust immigration and migration patterns, increasing numbers of people with disabilities, expansion of cultural and ethnic groups, and growth in the number and variety of non-traditional family households.
New York's changing housing and care policies – Housing, health, and long-term care policies in New York discourage institutionalization and promote the ability of all people to live in their own homes and communities throughout their lifetimes. New York stresses the provision of in-home and community-based care and services for people of all ages . . . supporting the ability of all residents to successfully and safely age in place. In addition, housing, care, and educational programs support the momentous efforts of over 1.9 million New York State residents who provide substantial unpaid care for frail elderly members and younger-aged members with disabilities.
Creating more livable communities –The Initiative's intent is to empower citizens and municipalities to better respond to their dramatically changing profiles and to help them create livable communities that reflect the evolving needs and preferences of all their residents . . . making New York the best place for these residents to live, work, grow up, and grow old.
Components of the Planning and Zoning Initiative – Below is a summary of the four major activities that will be implemented to achieve the intent and goals of the Initiative.
Housing, Planning, and Zoning Initiative
This innovative initiative will be implemented through four major activities—
- Develop a Technical Assistance Tool Kit for communities:
- Manual – to assist in replication or adaptation efforts in the areas of housing,
planning, land-use, zoning, universal design, green-building, energy alternatives,
mobility, and transportation:
- Descriptions of models, strategies, and approaches
- Information
- Technical assistance:
- Examples of operational models, practices, and strategies
- Model language
- Contact names
- Written and web-based materials and resources
- Benefits of innovative or successful models and strategies for:
- Older people
- People with disabilities
- Families
- Caregivers
- The wider community
- Barriers and challenges to development or implementation.
- DVD series – highlighting successful examples of various housing options; planning, zoning, and land-use strategies; universal design, energy, and green-building features; and mobility and transportation models in New York State or in other states.
- Manual – to assist in replication or adaptation efforts in the areas of housing,
planning, land-use, zoning, universal design, green-building, energy alternatives,
mobility, and transportation:
- Develop recommendations, which will be submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and state
agency commissioners:
- In collaboration with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal;
- In collaboration with five statewide Advisory Workgroups;
- In consultation with experts, consumers, and decision-makers across the State.
- Publicize the Initiative through a variety of venues and through wide distribution of the Tool Kit.
- Conduct a series of regional and community forums across the State:
- Audience: local zoning and planning boards, elected officials, local leaders from a variety of sectors across communities, service providers from various networks, legislators, consumers, media, builders and developers, members of the real estate and finance industry, members of the business community, etc.
- Purpose of the forums: Stimulate the creation of more livable communities, which can encourage older people, young adults, and families to remain living in New York State.
- Educate communities about demographic and policy trends; the implications of New York's changing profile; housing preferences of various population groups; alternative housing options; innovative and successful planning and land-use strategies; energy, green-building, and transportation and mobility approaches; universal design, visitability, and walkability; benefits of successful options and strategies for older people, younger people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and the overall community; model zoning language; and technical assistance resources for taking next steps.
- Support community-based action through distribution of the Tool Kit.
- Stimulate community action, resulting in planning and development that reflects the needs and preferences of older people, younger people with disabilities, families, and communities.
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