Houston Livable Communities Initiative

The Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at TIRR Memorial Hermann and the City of Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities are engaged in a cooperative initiative to improve community participation and access to healthcare for people with disabilities and older adults in five relatively disadvantaged Houston neighborhoods. With support from Amerigroup, a managed healthcare company, the Houston Livable Communities Initiative will assess neighborhood needs and identify environmental, social and attitudinal barriers that confront residents in the targeted groups. Affected residents will be engaged in the process of conceptualizing and developing work plans for making their communities more livable and more supportive of neighbors who are aging and those who have disabilities.

The project will provide a framework for public and private agencies to work in concert with community leaders and residents to remove barriers, improve services and help people with disabilities and older adults to have more options for healthy, independent living. Finally, the project will serve as a model for other cities and towns to use in building more inclusive and healthier, livable communities.

Amerigroup Foundation City of Houston Seal Metro Nightingale Interpreting