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of the General Plan, a comprehensive planning effort with widespread community involvement. The framework established by these two plans creates an opportunity for the Implementation Plan to be truly results-oriented rather than a new policy statement. Housing Need a~ad Objectives The Housing Element identified a number of issues, leading to the following specific ob}ectives of the Agency. This section of the Implementation Plan details the background of the community and the types of housing programs most needed. Increase the number of affordable housing units for young adults, singles and Iarge families. Close the affordable housing gap by increasing the number of affordable units, rents, or sale prices. • Assist seniors to age in the homes they own. Rehabilitate existing housing stock. Population and Age The 2000 Census reported San Leandro had a total population of 79,492. This represents a 16.4% increase over the 1990 population of 68,223. This is the greatest decennial increase in the City in four decades, and the first time since the 1950s that the City grew at a faster rate than Alameda County as a whole. In 2000, the median age in the City was 37.7, a slight decline from 1990 when the median age was 38.1. The City experienced remarkable growth in its youth population during the 1990s, with a 36% increase between 1990 and 2000. The percentage of residents over 65 declined during the 1990s. In 1990, senior residents comprised 19% of the population. In 2000, seniors represented 16% of the population. San Leandro also experienced a 53% increase in the frail elderly population, defined as persons aged 85 and over. The changes in age distribution have important implications for housing needs. The generation of young parents that settled in San Leandro after World War II is now well into their 70s and 80s. The need for independent senior living, congregate care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities is growing, and will continue to grow as the baby boom generation approaches retirement. The changes indicate a need to assist seniors who wish to "age in place" by retrofitting their homes with such features as wheelchair ramps and grab bars. The influx of new families with large numbers of children suggests a strong demand for larger units. At the same time, the relatively small and declining niunber of residents aged 25-34 suggests a shortage of affordable housing suitable for young adults and singles. Hausehodd Size and Income The 1990s saw a substantial increase in the average number of persons per household in San Leandro. In 1990, the figure was 2.33. By 2002, it was 2.61, due to a number of factors, including growing cultural diversity in the City and larger household sizes in Asian acid Latino communities. Some of the increase may also be due to a growing number of adult children 2004-1009 Implementation Plan Page 18