Livable Communities

Sharing space Some Vermonters who want to live at home as they age struggle to meet mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance premiums and maintenance costs. Some also find it hard to keep up with household chores.

AARP Vermont and the Newport Community Renaissance Corp. (NCRC) are now accepting applications for the 2017 Community Action Sponsorship Program -- as an effort to provide modest grants and technical support to community groups or individuals. The initiative is part of AARP’s work to enhance the Age Friendliness of Newport by preparing the community for the rapidly aging demographic shift -- particularly in the areas of housing, mobility and community engagement.

A new law passed last year will have positive impacts on the quality of life for older adults residing in your community. Act 115, Disclosure of Compliance with Accessibility Standards, requires newly developed single and multi-family units meet accessibility standards at the time of sale. It requires the seller of new residential construction to provide written disclosure to a prospective buyer detailing whether the residential construction is in compliance with accessibility standards.

For people who don’t drive, it can be hard to find convenient, affordable transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other errands. That’s why AARP is recruiting volunteer drivers for Community Rides, a statewide program that offers free round trips for older Vermonters, people with disabilities and Medicaid patients.

Bethel Better Block Final Report

Have a coffee on us and share ideas on how to make Greater Burlington more livable!

Home Share Vermont -- A National Model

Utility regulation in Vermont can be a very complicated process and one that most citizens do not fully understand. AARP Vermont is working hard to shed light on some of the problems with the current approach to regulating electric and natural gas utility companies -- especially as it relates to the rates you pay. A new, independent report just released by AARP Vermont (attached below) shows how Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) has been operating under what is known as an alternative regulation plan created about 10 years ago. While the goal of this form of ratemaking regulation was to best serve Vermont consumers and ratepayers, the actual experience over the past decade has been just the opposite!

Meet the next Vermont Governor!

Sometimes all it takes to make a difference is a little nudge. That’s what happened when AARP Vermont elected to support a small educational program in Burlington serving New American parents and grandparents. A modest grant from AARP Vermont to Parent University leveraged real progress in reaching a population that was largely ignored. The sponsorship was critical to the program’s success over the past year and helped it reach older adults among the New American population, providing valuable education while engaging them in the school community. This school year, 55 parents, guardians and grandparents graduated from the program having participated in at least 3 classes a week for over 6 months.