SDSU presents Encinitas age-friendly study; commissioners ask to review draft before council

Michelle Matter, director at San Diego State University's Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity (SEAL), delivered a video presentation of the draft Encinitas Age-Friendly community study, summarizing survey and community engagement results and proposed strategies.

"Our survey included 93 questions and received an incredible 1,165 responses," Matter said, describing nine key informant interviews, four listening sessions and four community workshops that involved about 130 participants. SEAL told the commission it identified 64 programs already supporting older adults and focused its recommendations on five domains: housing; community engagement; mobility; outdoor spaces and buildings; and health and wellness.

The draft highlights persistent gaps in affordability and awareness: Matter reported that 67% of respondents rated Encinitas very good or excellent for aging while 69% reported housing stability, yet many residents said they were unaware of available housing resources. The presentation also flagged mobility concerns (42% rated public transit poor), a need for more accessible communications and gaps reaching non-English and homebound residents.

Several commissioners pressed for greater transparency and time to review the material before it is transmitted to City Council. "It would have been really valuable for me to have been given this in advance," said Commissioner Thunder, who said the content and slides were difficult to follow in a meeting setting. Manager Goodsell responded that the draft will be circulated and that the recorded presentation will be posted to YouTube and the city website; hard copies of slides can be provided on request.

Matter said the team expects to finalize a design version by May and to present the plan to City Council in late summer or early fall. The commission agreed that staff should circulate the draft recommendations and any cover letter in advance of the council submittal so commissioners and the public can review and provide feedback.