AARP Endorses Mayor de Blasio’s Affordable Housing Plan

Statement by Chris Widelo, Associate State Director of AARP for New York City, on Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York   Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality & Affordability proposal:

“AARP New York, with our 750,000 members in New York City, endorses the mayor’s affordable housing plan. The rapid growth in the population of older residents requires the city to keep pace in supporting affordable housing for seniors, many of whom already struggle to pay rent on fixed incomes. An AARP survey this year found over 60% of the city’s Generation X and Baby Boomer voters are concerned about affording their rent or mortgage in the coming years, with the number over 70% for African-Americans and Hispanics.”

”AARP believes this plan would ensure more New Yorkers safe, quality, affordable housing—helping to keep our older citizens and their invaluable economic, cultural, volunteer and family contributions right here in New York.”

“We also think it is important for the public and community to provide input into the plan so that neighborhood-specific concerns can be addressed—an opportunity the zoning approval process would allow. AARP NY members will have the chance to hear from and ask questions of the Mayor at a telephone town hall on this issue scheduled for this month. The Mayor will also be speaking at an AARP co-sponsored event on Monday, December 14 ^th on our Livability Index, which rates neighborhoods, communities and municipalities on a range of factors including affordable and appropriate housing.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, 212-407-3796, ekriss@aarp.org; Bich Ha Pham, 347-524-5802, bichha@anatgerstein.com    

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www . aarp . org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www . aarp . org .