City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 19, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Receipt of the Alexandria Commission on Aging Age Friendly Plan 2026-2029
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council’s Consideration of Approval of the Alexandria Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community 2026-2029, drafted by the Commission on Aging.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Receive the Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community 2026-2029; and
2. Adopt the Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community 2026-2029.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2017, the City of Alexandria applied to and was accepted into the AARP/World Health Organization (WHO) Network of Age-Friendly Communities. This global initiative supports cities, towns, and regions in preparing for the rapid aging of their populations by creating environments that enable residents of all ages, particularly older adults, to live safely, remain active, and stay socially connected. Using the WHO Age-Friendly Cities Framework and AARP’s tools, technical assistance, and best practices, participating communities assess local needs and implement improvements across key areas such as housing, transportation, health and community services, and social inclusion.
Alexandria was the first community in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be accepted into the Network, gaining access to a national and international forum for collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of proven strategies. As part of the Network’s requirements, the City committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive Age-Friendly Action Plan within a four-year timeframe.
The City’s participation in the Age-Friendly Communities initiative was built upon prior planning efforts. In 2012, City Council adopted the Strategic Plan on Aging, 2013-2017: The Alexandria of Our Future-A Livable Community for All Ages, which established a long-term vision for addressing the needs of Alexandria’s growing older adult population. The City’s first Age-Friendly Plan served as a natural continuation of this work, reinforcing the principle that planning for older residents benefits the entire community. Improvements that support older adults-such as accessible transportation, safe housing, and inclusive public spaces-also enhance quality of life for residents of all ages.
While centered on aging, the Age-Friendly Plan is intentionally designed to promote a livable community for all generations. The plan identified and advanced strategies across six domains of livability: (1) social participation and respect and social inclusion; (2) housing; (3) transportation; (4) communication; (5) health and community services; and (6) civic participation and employment. The plan was unanimously approved by City Council in May 2018 and subsequently approved by AARP in June 2018, formally positioning Alexandria as an active participant in the Age-Friendly Communities Network.
The AARP/WHO Age-Friendly Cities Framework identifies eight interrelated domains essential to fostering age-friendly communities: (1) outdoor spaces and buildings; (2) transportation; (3) housing; (4) social participation; (5) respect and social inclusion; (6) civic participation and employment; (7) communication and information; and (8) community and health services.
The final report for the 2019-2023 Age Friendly Plan was accepted by the Council at the June 25, 2024, Legislative Meeting and authorization was given to begin work on this new plan.
DISCUSSION:
Work on the Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community commenced in March 2024 that led to key steps to gather information needed to inform the report. Beginning in January 2025, community engagement efforts began to seek public input with several public meetings at locations throughout the City, including the Lee Center, Claridge House, Ladrey Senior Housing, culminating in a virtual town hall on July 2, 2025. A 15-question engagement survey was conducted from January until June and publicized by numerous partners including the Division of Aging & Adult Services, the Office of Housing, Senior Services of Alexandria and the Health Department, garnering 284 responses.
This input, along with coordination with the Community Health Assessment and the Housing 2040 survey provided information for the approach to address each domain. The plan was crafted in a way that allows the City to pivot as needed given the upheaval on the Federal level that may affect the implementation of its provisions.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Age-Friendly Plan for a Livable Community
2. 2026-2029 Age-Friendly Engagement Questionnaire
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Christopher Moore, Director, Division of Aging & Adult Services, DCHS Ashley Johnson, Long-term Care Coordinator, DCHS