SEATTLE—August 14, 2003—This past spring the Seattle Housing Authority sent surveys to 232 senior households who moved from Holly Park, Rainier Vista and High Point to permit the revitalization of those communities. About 63 percent, or 146 households, responded, letting SHA know how they were doing.
Sharon Jewell, the Seattle Housing Authority's Redevelopment Community Liaison for Seniors and the author of the survey, gives the reason behind it, "We wanted to see if there was anything more we could do to help them adjust to their new homes."
The seniors at SHA's old garden communities were used to living in a ground floor unit with no one living above them. Some were able to do a little gardening in their front yard. Typical senior housing, on the other hand, is an apartment in an elevator building. In making their relocation decisions some seniors valued their old neighborhood and proximity to friends, family or church above the type of housing unit.
SHA worked hard to find seniors the kind of housing they wanted the most, whether it was near the old neighborhood, or a similar type of housing in a new neighborhood. Some seniors had a hard time making a choice and many moved to a different kind of housing or a different area than they had been used to.
The survey gave Sharon a chance to check in with the seniors that she had worked with while they were making their relocation decisions, see how they were adjusting, and follow up with them regarding any problems or issues that may have come up since their move.
Several noted how nice their new housing is: "They treat me like royalty!" and "I love my apartment and I don't want to move again."
Summarizing the survey results and responding to resident concerns
Survey question |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
Are you satisfied with your housing choice? |
70% |
21% |
9% |
|
Would you be interested in moving back to the redeveloped community? |
39% |
53% |
8% |
|
Have you moved more than once since leaving your community? |
11% |
85% |
4% |
|
Do you plan to move again soon? |
25% |
70% |
5% |
|
Are you having any housing problems? |
18% |
76% |
4% |
SHA followed up with all of the seniors who reported having problems in their new location. Several who relocated using a Housing Choice Voucher reported that they were paying more in rent than they had before they moved. In response, Sharon and other relocation staff rechecked the rent calculations for all those relocating with Housing Choice Vouchers to confirm that they their rent was the same before and after relocation.
If residents reported that their new situation wasn't working out as they expected, Sharon was often able to offer referrals to other suitable housing, or help residents learn to work with the property manager in their new place to address problems.
Most of all, survey respondents told Sharon that SHA's continuing to keep in touch meant a lot to them. As part of relocation, SHA committed to following up with all relocated residents, including seniors, for several years. Surveys like this are one way that SHA can maintain contact. Sharon plans to continue surveying the seniors every year or so for the next few years.