Designing for Safe Aging in Place: Housing Vulnerability Among Immigrant Older Adults in Flushing, Queens

Flushing, Queens, is home to a large immigrant community and a growing population of older adults who wish to remain in their homes as they age. However, rising housing costs, overcrowding, and inadequate housing conditions can create challenges for their safety, health, mobility, and independence.

Led by industrial designer and researcher Jess Park, with Pratt graduate research assistant Sky Cheng, this project explores how housing conditions affect immigrant older adults' ability to age safely and independently at home. Developed in partnership with the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) Nan Shan Older Adult Center, the project combines design research with community knowledge to address everyday housing challenges.

Through interviews, participatory workshops, housing mapping, and co-design activities, the team will collaborate with older adults, caregivers, and community stakeholders to understand lived experiences, identify challenges, and develop potential design solutions. Together, they will explore accessibility, environmental comfort, extreme heat, circulation, emergency preparedness, and spatial arrangements that support independent living.

The research and co-design process will inform practical design concepts and community-informed recommendations for safer aging in place. Outcomes will include a housing risk and resilience map, research report, and design framework. A bilingual English–Chinese summary and public presentation will share findings and design opportunities with the community. The project aims to support CPC's future programming and outreach while ensuring older adults play an active role in shaping safer, more resilient living environments.