There was a great story on KJZZ yesterday morning on their Changing America series. Reporter Peter O’Dowd talked about how retirees are moving into downtown areas and urban cores along the Valley Metro light-rail line.

Finding homes for these folks in CenPho is driven by a need I saw coming years ago: Baby Boomers—the post-WWII generation born between 1946 and 1964—are changing the way we view retirement. I say that because I have helped many folks in their retirement years as they search for homes in downtown. So, this story really hit home.

“As a group,” said Landon Jones in his book that coined the word, “[Baby Boomers], were the wealthiest, most active, and most physically fit generation to that time, and amongst the first to grow up genuinely expecting the world to improve with time.”

It should come as no surprise, then, that 60 housing units are opening at the end of this month in downtown Phoenix, along the “pedestrian friendly street with historic sidewalks and that sort of thing”—which is how Gordan and Company Developer Brian Swanton described Lofts at McKinley in the KJZZ piece.

The Lofts will attend to the lower and middle income residents, 55 years and older. It’s just a few blocks from a light-rail station. When the complex broke ground last year, KPHO reported,

Despite the lower price tag, amenities will not be cheap. Tenants met by doormen, high end appliances and even green products. Recycled water for irrigation purposes. Rent will range from $400 to $900. Eligible tenants must have an annual income between $18,000 to $32,000.”

There aren’t many seniors or retirees who can afford early retirement these days. Guaranteed pensions are even less likely. Swanson said that by 2013 close to 300 units for seniors will be available along the light-rail line between Phoenix and Mesa.

Shannon Scutari, who leads the Sustainable Communities Collaborative (and is quoted in the KJZZ piece), “helps coordinate a 20-million dollar fund to kickstart financing for affordable housing near transit. Without various stacks of private money, Scutari says the banks just aren’t interested in taking the risk on their own.”

Encore on Farmer is another senior housing complex that opened January in downtown Tempe.

The prospects are not just for rentals, but also for home sales in CenPho and downtown. This is what I find so exciting. I love the diversity. As a famous baby boomer said, “The times they are a changin’….”

There are plenty of homes, town homes, patio homes and condos for sale that meet this need. Please give me a call at 602-456-9388 if you are interested to learn more.

[Lofts at Finley photo: combusean] [Baby Boomers photos: NGOA&ENGAF]

The downtown scene is an eclectic mix of cultures and communities that we’ve grown to know and love. For one important downtown organization, which helps homeless LGBTQ youth get back on their feet, there has been a quiet change in leadership.

1in10 has officially brought Linda Elliot in as the new executive director in July. Linda, a successful business woman, is well known for her work in the Human Rights Campaign. She is an influential person in AZ politics. She, and her partner, Carolyn Lane, a Maricopa Country Constable, are an inspiring couple.

In truth, 1in10 has been around since the early nineties. You may have known them as VOIT and Horizons, both of which specialized in LGBTQ youth. In 2002, these two fantastic organizations joined forces to create 1n10, which supports LGBTQ youth in Arizona as well as nationally through “positive self-acceptance through life enhancing programs.”

One of those programs is the OUTdoors camp which is one of the largest LGBTQ summer programs in the world.

(Does anybody else see the irony of one of the largest summer LGBTQ camps in the world being located in AZ? We should be proud.)

OUTdoors, which 1in10 describes as a youth leadership camp, is like many other summer camps, full of zip lining, horseback riding, and crafts, but works on developing leadership skills, collaboration and communication with campers to help better their community.

Two months into her new position, Linda has been a busy lady pursuing grants and new programs. In addition to the OUTdoors, 1n10 provides weekly group events in the Valley, and hopes to expand with a new leadership and training programs and guest speakers to inspire youth and create a “fun, safe, social space”.  She “hit the ground running,” according to Stacey Jay Cavaliere, Program Coordinator for this weekend’s Sources of Strength Celebration.

The event will be held this First Friday at the Downtown Civic Space Park. 1n10 is raising money to launch a new suicide prevention campaign by showcasing their musical talents, which includes the 1n10 hip hop squad, and youth art, displayed at the Fair Trade Cafe. Their hope is to get people and businesses all over the Valley to attend and show their support.

1n10 continues to reach out to the community for partners to help us in their efforts. If you’re interested in learning more information please visit www.1n10.org

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