Census Bureau projections indicate that by as soon as 2035, for the first time ever, there will be more people in the U.S. over the age of 65 than under 18 years old.

Communities with features such as alternatives for those who don’t drive, physical and social activities, parks, safe streets, and a variety of affordable housing options provide an environment that benefits all residents and allows people to age in place. However, many communities in New Jersey fall short of what we consider ‘age-friendly.’

Where do aging adults want to live? Most people prefer to stay in their communities as they age. It’s where their social connections, medical professionals, and other resources are. Some people want to stay in the same house they’ve been in since they moved to the community, while others may want to downsize to a different residence in the same town.

What do aging residents need? As mobility needs may change, many people eventually reduce their driving or stop altogether, making the ability to travel to various destinations without a car very important. That requires destinations in close proximity to each other, within easy walking distance or close to public transit.

Is New Jersey prepared to meet the needs of our aging population? New Jersey Future has scored every municipality on three criteria that serve as a general indicator of how well a town is positioned to meet these changing needs:

• Is there a recognizable downtown or Main Street with a variety of establishments?
• How many typical destinations are there per square mile?
• How connected is the street network?

A greater number and variety of destinations per square mile make it easier for people to accomplish daily tasks efficiently, and a well-connected street network facilitates reaching these destinations by means other than cars. Unfortunately, the places in New Jersey where the largest numbers of older residents live are not places well-positioned to meet their changing mobility needs.

A large number of New Jersey’s older residents are also housing cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This occurs for several reasons. Retirement income tends to be lower than employment income, while housing costs remain the same or increase. Additionally, a shortage of the types of homes older people desire — such as townhouses or apartments in walkable communities — makes the existing supply expensive and limits the options for aging residents who would like to move but cannot afford to.

What We’re Doing
New Jersey Future works with communities to:

• Inform local officials and residents about what aging-friendly features are and how they enhance the economic and social character of their towns
• Provide a snapshot of the current status of their aging resident population and conduct land use assessments to determine the “aging-friendliness” of their community
• Assist municipalities in the implementation of aging-friendly strategies, including ways to:
  • Enhance a downtown, main street or town center by creating compact, walkable areas with a range of services and amenities in close proximity to one another
  • Create more housing types that allow aging residents to remain in their communities
    Improve street network connectivity and access to public transportation

New Jersey Future is a member of Lifelong Strong New Jersey, an advocacy campaign to prioritize policies that ensure New Jerseyans can thrive in the Garden State as we age. As part of this campaign, we are ensuring New Jersey’s Governor recognizes our increasingly aging population and includes aging as an important consideration in all policy decisions.

Explore our resources and connect with us as we work to make aging policies and age-friendly community plans mainstream in New Jersey.