Preparing for the Silver Tsunami: Planning and policy solutions for Southeast Florida’s communities

The Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils are pleased to host their Joint Annual Conference on November 15, 2024 at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton Campus. This year’s regional conference will focus on the changing demographics of Southeast Florida and implications for residents, local governments, planning professionals, communities, economy and workforce, and primary care and other service providers assisting the region’s seniors and their caregivers. Southeast Florida’s senior population is booming, mirroring national and worldwide trends. Commonly referred to as the “Silver Tsunami”, residents 65 years of age and older are projected to number more than 2.13 million in the seven-county region by 2050 reflecting an increase of 54.5% since 2021. Of these residents, 520,000 will be 85 years of age or older reflecting a projected increase of 133.6% from 2025 to 2050. The Southeast Florida region is comprised of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties.

We invite elected officials, regional stakeholders, and members of the public to join expert moderators and guest panelists in a lively conversation about Southeast Florida’s demographic shift and land use, transportation, housing, healthcare and supportive services, and economic and financial challenges and opportunities related to the aging of Southeast Florida. As the general population and workforce continues to age and live longer, accompanied by the dropping birthrate, Southeast Florida’s competitiveness will depend on how we plan for and support seniors, employers, and society. For a complete list of Conference guest moderators and speakers, meeting agenda, registration link, sponsorship opportunities, and other relevant information, please visit: here

The Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils have a long history of collaborative planning in the Southeast Florida Region tackling important topics such as affordable housing, Florida’s Coral Reef, water resources and infrastructure challenges, property insurance, regional transit, resilience initiatives, and more. In addition to regular Joint Council meetings, during the last two years the Councils have hosted regional conferences focused on Solid Waste Management “Challenges and Opportunities” and Recycling Right: Transforming Southeast Florida’s Waste Landscape. This year’s conference on Preparing for the Silver Tsunami: Planning and Policy Solutions for Southeast Florida’s Communities is intended to raise awareness and accelerate proactive planning and investment throughout the region’s communities.

“Building on our multi-year tradition of successful joint meetings and conferences, at this year’s conference we will learn more about this topic and discuss how we can all work together on fixing the problems identified. I encourage local and state leaders to join us at the event,” said TCRPC Chair and Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Maria Marino.

“Something that should keep policymakers up at night is the upcoming Silver Tsunami. I question how people in the future will ever be able to retire. The traditional three-legged stool of retirement planning is rapidly disappearing. We need to focus on finances, transit and housing options, and healthcare for our Seniors, now and for those to come in the future,” said SFRPC Chair and Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller.

This year’s Conference will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, FAU Student Union Building, Grand Palm Room, 1995 Dade Avenue #1973, in Boca Raton. Please note that this is an in-person meeting with no virtual attendance option offered. This Conference has been publicly “Sunshine” noticed for elected officials throughout the seven-county region to facilitate their participation. This Conference is offered at no charge to attendees, but registration is required. Space is limited. Register Now!

With the assistance of the APA-FL, Treasure Coast Section this Conference has been approved for 4.75 AICP CM Credits, including 1 CM credit in Equity. We would also like to thank the AARP for their generous sponsorship. Information regarding Sponsorship Opportunities is available at the Conference Web Page .

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email news@indianrivermedia.com