In the fall of 1999, a small group of determined individuals set out on a journey to improve the lives and aging experience of all older adults. That group included, among others, Drs. Robert Kahn and Toni Antonucci from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, as well as Larry and Roger Landry. Masterpiece Living (MPL) is the result of that group’s work, and MPL’s partnerships with now 60 communities has demonstrated clearly that its lifestyle and cultural approach to successful aging is effective. Recently, however, MPL took a major step towards achieving its core goal of improving the lives of all older adults. 
 
The University of Michigan, in partnership with Masterpiece Living, was awarded one of five MacArthur Foundation grants as part of the Foundation’s How Housing Matters initiatives intended to support research projects which seek to address how affordable housing for older adults can achieve improved health and well-being outcomes, while lowering overall health-care costs. Toni Antonucci, PhD, Principal Investigator and Robert L. Kahn, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator will lead the study in which The University of Michigan, Masterpiece Living and American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) will collaborate. 
 
“The ABHOW Affordable Housing Team is thrilled to be part of this initiative.” Ancel Romero, Senior Vice President of ABHOW, said. “Our residents and team members are of greatest importance to us and this grant allows us the opportunity to further enhance their well-being.” The Study will involve two ABHOW affordable housing communities in the Redlands, California area and last two years. “Our goal is to develop a blueprint that can be widely used to improve the quality of life for all older adults, of every income level,” Principal Investigator, Toni Antonucci said. “We hope the results of this field experiment will also result in Medicare and Medicaid savings and contribute to efforts to reform current models of service provision to older Americans.” 
 
The outcomes of the project will be presented to the House and Senate, The Administration on Aging, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Center for State Innovation and the Surgeon General; a potential major step in influencing public policy on aging in America. 
 
Larry Landry, Chairman of Masterpiece Living summed up the feelings of the entire MPL Team. “We are both humbled and exhilarated by this project. We thank all of our partners for their commitment to successful aging. Without their hard work, we would not have this opportunity.”