Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, Fort Smith, AR
The Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas (AAAWA) integrates its transportation program with its low-income housing program for older adults. Within walking distance of the senior center, the AAA owns and operates three housing communities for older adults, each with 19 single-bedroom apartments. Residents regularly use transportation services through the senior center to attend appointments and access essential services.
The AAA’s transportation program, Western Transit System (WTS), operates demand-response accessible vans in a 10-county region of Western Arkansas. Transportation is funded through a combination of the following:
- FTA Section 5311 funds for rural transportation
- FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities funds, which help to pay for the vans
- Medicaid and Medicare reimbursable rides
- Private pay
- A transportation contract with a regional cancer treatment facility
While HUD is active in the area, and CDBG grants are available, in its region AAAWA cannot use these grants for transportation. Similarly, Section 8 housing partners, while interested in partnering, are unable to contribute funding for transportation services.
However, AAAWA has begun a partnership with Restore Hope and its 100 Families Initiative. Restore Hope is a nonprofit with a mission to reduce incarceration and the need for foster care by leveraging community resources, and AAAWA supports this effort by providing transportation assistance.