On Thursday, a coalition of seniors and advocates from these organizations flocked to city hall to demand that action be taken on these issues and to better address the challenges associated with aging in the nation’s most populous city.
“New York City is failing to meet the needs of its aging population, as hundreds of thousands are left without power due to policy and program failures that lead to year-long waiting lists for basic services, a chaotic and confusing care system, and life-threatening isolation. . Our senior communities deserve better,” said Allison Nickerson, executive director of LiveOn NY, according to the report.
New York City Council member Crystal Hudson, who chairs its aging committee, joined Nickerson to explain what the groups and advocates hope to accomplish.
“One in five New Yorkers is over the age of 65, and they deserve everything from affordable housing and well-equipped senior centers to community programs and home-delivered or packed meals every day of the week,” Hudson reportedly explained. “While the Age in Place legislative package lays the foundation for many of these initiatives, we need strong funding to ensure that every older person has access to the services they need.”
Another member of the council, Mercedes Narcisse, also spoke at the event and emphasized the important role played by the elderly in their neighborhoods.
“Older New Yorkers are the backbone of our homes and neighborhoods, and we must do everything we can to ensure they get the housing, healthy food, and services they’ve earned and deserve,” she said.
On its website, LiveOn NY explains that city government has unaddressed deficits to address to meet the needs of New York’s seniors. Among them are the inadequate budget for the city’s aging services, and the need to address the housing shortage.
“More than 500,000 seniors are on the waiting list for affordable housing while senior homelessness is on the rise,” the agency said. “The city must increase affordable housing and rental subsidies for seniors.”
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