As Executive Director of the South Wedge Planning Committee (SWPC), I’m pleased to report on the progress of the Collaborative Accessibility Exchange—an exploratory, community-built housing pilot designed to help seniors age in place while creating opportunities for young families to access larger homes here in the South Wedge. Supported by a $20,000 grant from Councilwoman LaShay Harris and the City of Rochester, this initiative reflects our commitment to developing innovative, resident-driven solutions to the housing challenges facing our neighborhood.

This is not a pre-packaged program, but an ongoing collaborative process. We are working alongside residents, housing partners, and advocates to design and test a model that reflects the real needs and lived experiences of our community. Our goal is to create a practical, scalable approach that can strengthen neighborhood stability and support intergenerational connections across Rochester. In this model, SWPC’s primary role will be to serve as a trusted matchmaker between homeowners—facilitating connections, providing guidance, and helping coordinate transitions, rather than acting as a buyer, seller, or housing provider.

Through early conversations and focus groups, we’ve gathered important insights. Participants shared that the concept of a “housing swap” can feel unclear without stronger definitions—raising questions about whether the model should involve facilitated home sales, rental transitions, or other equity-based approaches. We also heard significant concerns about equity and valuation. Many seniors rely on their home equity to support future care needs, and differences in home values, repair costs, and family expectations can complicate potential transitions.

Legal and fair housing considerations are also central to our work. We are committed to ensuring that any model we develop is compliant, ethical, and inclusive. At the same time, our discussions highlighted that seniors are not a monolithic group. Needs vary widely based on mobility, health, income, and long-term planning, and our pilot must be flexible enough to reflect that diversity.

Another key challenge is the limited supply of accessible housing. Only a small percentage of homes are fully accessible, and many single-story properties are investor-owned or in poor condition. This scarcity makes simple one-to-one transitions difficult and reinforces the need for creative, community-informed solutions. We also heard concerns about predatory practices, as many seniors are already targeted by cash investors. Strong safeguards will be essential to maintaining community trust and preventing exploitation.

Perhaps most importantly, residents spoke about the emotional and social impact of moving. Leaving a longtime home is not just a financial decision—it’s deeply personal. Concerns about isolation, safety, and losing informal neighbor support networks must be addressed with care and compassion.

While exploring this concept, we have also learned many broader lessons about the diverse and evolving needs of seniors in our neighborhood. These insights will help guide SWPC’s future programming and projects, ensuring that our work continues to support aging residents in meaningful, responsive ways beyond this pilot alone.

These findings underscore the complexity of this work and the importance of testing a thoughtful, focused pilot. While many related ideas surfaced—from land trusts to co-housing and rehabilitation supports—they also highlighted the need to keep the scope manageable so the model remains fundable, testable, and replicable.

The Collaborative Accessibility Exchange has the potential to serve as a meaningful framework for intergenerational housing stability. Moving forward, we will continue refining the model with community input and strong legal and housing partnerships. I encourage seniors, families, partners, and neighbors to stay engaged—attend a meeting, share your perspective, and help shape a model that works for our entire community.

Together, we are working toward a future where longtime residents can remain rooted, families can grow, and the South Wedge continues to thrive for generations to come.