Aging in Place Shouldn’t Be a Privilege: Why We Must Do More for Older Adults in Franklin County
At Make-A-Day, we believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and stable, especially as they grow older. But for too many adults in Franklin County, aging comes with growing uncertainty.
Over the past year, we’ve seen a troubling rise in the number of older adults who are housing insecure or one crisis away from becoming so. These are neighbors who have spent decades raising families, building communities, and giving back. And now, they are navigating systems that are too complex, under-resourced, or simply not built to meet their needs.
In our programs and events, more than 25% of those we serve are 55 or older. That’s not by accident, older adults are deeply present, active, and vital to the fabric of our work. They show up. They lead. But right now, the safety nets they need are unraveling.
The Pressures Are Adding Up
Let’s be clear: this is not about one single issue. It’s the combination of many.
Housing costs are rising fast. In 2023, Franklin County’s property reappraisal led to valuation increases of over 40% in many areas. That’s translated to higher taxes and more financial pressure for seniors living on fixed incomes.
Emergency rental assistance is running out. By late summer, pandemic-era rental support will be gone, and current replacement support is expected to meet only a fraction of the need. For older renters already on the edge, that loss could mean eviction.
Neighborhoods are gentrifying. Longtime residents in communities like Franklinton and the Near East Side are watching rents climb and their neighbors disappear. Without policies to prevent displacement, older adults are being priced out of the very places they’ve helped build.
Social Security is flat, and at risk. Benefits have not kept pace with the real cost of living. And without federal action, cuts could come as soon as 2034.
Medicaid expansion is under threat. Many older Ohioans rely on Medicaid for in-home care or assisted living. But if federal support shrinks, so could coverage, right when people need it most.
Student loan debt is following people into retirement. Starting in May 2025, Social Security checks will once again be garnished to repay federal student loans in default. That includes many older adults who took out loans for their children’s education.
What Can Be Done — And Who Can Act
These issues are overwhelming, but they’re not unsolvable. Solutions already exist — we just need the will to act on them.
At the state & federal level, we need to:
Pass property tax relief legislation like Ohio House Bill 263
Protect Medicaid expansion in the state budget
Reform student loan policy to prevent Social Security garnishment for older borrowers
At the local level, the City of Columbus and Franklin County can:
Prioritize affordable, senior-accessible housing in development plans
Fund eviction prevention and legal assistance for older adults
Invest in aging-in-place infrastructure, like home repairs and accessible transit
Partner with community groups like Make-A-Day to better reach and support older adults
Establish a standing advisory council on aging to guide city and county planning with lived experience
We’re Not Waiting — and We’re Not Alone
Older adults are already organizing, advocating, and showing up. At Make-A-Day, we’re proud to stand beside them. But this cannot be solved with programs alone. It takes policy, investment, and leadership.
We believe a community is only as strong as its ability to care for those who have spent a lifetime caring for others. Aging should not be a crisis. It should be a time of rootedness, of safety, and of continued contribution.
If you’re in a position to advocate, or even just to listen, we invite you to be part of this work. Because dignity in aging should not be a privilege. It should be the standard.
Want to join the conversation or share your perspective? Reach out at makeaday.fun or come to one of our upcoming events. We’re building something, and it includes all of us.