The Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved the city's first-ever Aging and Disability Action Plan last week, establishing a three-year roadmap to address the needs of a rapidly growing population of older adults and people with disabilities.
The plan comes as nearly one in five Santa Monica residents is over the age of 65, mirroring statewide demographic trends that project one in four Californians will be over 60 by 2031. Among adults aged 75 and older, 42% are living with a disability, according to city data.
The plan addresses the needs of a growing demographic in the coastal city, where disability prevalence peaks among adults 75 and older.
The comprehensive plan emerged from an extensive community engagement process that included more than 500 participants who contributed through surveys, focus groups and multilingual outreach conducted in English, Spanish, Farsi and Russian. Nearly 70% of survey respondents rated Santa Monica as age- and disability-friendly, though community feedback revealed significant challenges in housing stability, mobility and access to information.
Alana Riemermann, a senior analyst with the city's Housing and Human Services Department, told the council that the plan addresses priorities that "came up over and over" from multiple stakeholder groups during the year-long development process.
"These are the details that we would be working out in implementation," Riemermann said during the council meeting. "That's why we need this interdepartmental collaboration, because then we can bring the experts to the table."
The plan is organized around five focus areas: mobility, access and inclusive public spaces; connected and resilient community; coordinated communication and outreach; housing stability and affordability; and inclusive emergency preparedness.
Development of the plan was funded through a California Department of Aging grant and guided by a 16-seat advisory committee that included community members, subject matter experts, commissioners and city staff. The city also joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities as part of the initiative.
The Council raised questions about specific implementation details during Tuesday's meeting. Natalya Zernitskaya inquired about bringing back physical communication materials and conducting ADA assessments of the city's website, noting the need for features like accessible photo descriptions and video captions.
Barry Snell focused on transportation options for older residents, particularly the goal of enabling them to access city resources without driving. Riemermann noted that the city already operates a Mobility On-Demand program but said one of the top recommendations was "expanding the MO program so it's available during the weekend and during later evening hours."
The plan also addresses emergency preparedness, with discussions about helping residents assemble emergency kits rather than just providing information. The city operates a Community Connect program through the fire department that allows residents to voluntarily register accessibility needs for emergency situations.
Ellis Raskin emphasized the importance of housing affordability for seniors while noting the city's "unique ecosystem of licensed care facilities, memory care facilities" that serve residents requiring specialized assistance.
Implementation will begin in early 2026, led by a collaborative of city departments and community organizations. The Housing and Human Services Department will coordinate efforts, align with other city initiatives and provide regular public updates every six months.
There is no immediate budget impact from the plan's approval, though staff will return to the council if specific budget actions are required during the three-year implementation period.
At the end of three years, Santa Monica will submit a progress report to AARP as part of its membership in the Age-Friendly network.
The plan builds on Santa Monica's existing investments in accessible public spaces, mobility programs and social services targeted at older adults and people with disabilities, positioning the city to better serve its aging population in the coming years.