AARPNY Supports #AgeInPlaceNYC Legislation

AARP New York is proud to support City Council Member Crystal Hudson’s #AgeInPlaceNYC legislative package to expand the rights and improve the lives of older New Yorkers.

The ten-bill package includes legislation to fix some of the most pressing problems facing older adults including housing insecurity, healthcare access, cultural competence in service delivery, and accessibility.

The #AgeInPlaceNYC Legislative Package includes the following bills:

Int 0673-2022: ENACTED.

This bill would entitle any person 60 years of age or older facing eviction or termination of tenancy in housing court to full legal representation at no cost. This bill would also require the Department for the Aging to provide financial assistance to persons 60 years of age or older for the purpose of paying rental arrears when such persons are not eligible to receive other forms of rental arrears assistance. This bill would also require the Department for the Aging to establish a housing support program for the purpose of providing tailored advice and support, through case management services, to persons 60 years of age or older who are at risk of eviction or foreclosure.

Int 0674-2022: ENACTED.

This bill would require the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to create and maintain a know your rights pamphlet for older adults who are 60 years of age and above, to inform them of their rights on various topics. The pamphlet would describe each topic and older adults’ related rights and provide the name, address, contact information, and website of the relevant agency and community-based organization that an older adult may contact to obtain information to address such rights. The bill would also require such pamphlet to be posted on DFTA’s website and other City websites and platforms. DFTA would also be required to conduct outreach on the pamphlet and annually report on such outreach efforts.

Int 0672-2022: ENACTED.

The proposed bill would require the Department for the Aging to require older adult centers to expand their programming to include linguistic and cultural programs relevant to the local communities in which they reside.

Int 0676-2022: ENACTED.

In general, universal design for housing involves designing an apartment or house so that it is accessible for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability or stature. This bill would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to develop a list of universal design principles and require that a developer who receives City financial assistance incorporate universal design in at least 10 percent of dwelling units in each housing development project or housing preservation project. It would also require HPD to produce annual reports on the universal design list and universal design unit requirement, which HPD would post on its website.

Int 0675-2022: This bill would require the department of health and mental hygiene to create a telemedicine accessibility plan to improve the availability and accessibility of portable monitoring devices and telehealth devices for populations that could be better served by telemedicine services.

Int 0665-2022: ENACTED.

This bill would require the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DOITT), in consultation with the Department for the Aging (DFTA) and relevant stakeholders, to establish and implement an online digital literacy program to serve older adults.

Int 0255-2022: This bill would require the Department of Finance (DOF) to establish a citywide online system for tenants to apply to and renew their benefits under the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program. It would also require that DOF conduct outreach efforts, via telephone or electronic mail, for any notice issued to tenants related to these programs. Lastly, the legislation would specify those events that would constitute as a permanent decrease of income triggering a rent redetermination for SCRIE and DRIE beneficiaries.

Int 0564-2022: This bill would require the Department for the Aging to establish a commission for LGBTQIA+ older adults and aging within the department. The commission’s goals would be to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop expert recommendations on ways to improve the quality of life of LGBTQIA+ older adults. The commission would be required to submit two reports: the first report no later than one year after enactment, and the second report no later than two years after submission of the first report.

Int 0945-2023:  This legislation would require Department for the Aging and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to develop a technical support program to serve older adults.

Res 0236-2022: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5102/A.1475, which would allow municipalities and localities that have a senior citizen rent increase exemption program to establish an automatic enrollment program for eligible seniors to be automatically enrolled or automatically re-enrolled in the program.

The legislative package is an important step in combating ageism and creating a more age-friendly city.

Join us in showing your support for this package by calling City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams today to urge her to pass the #AgeInPlaceNYC legislative package and encourage older New Yorkers to continue calling our great city home.

Call Speaker Adams at (212) 788-6850 and tell her you support the #AgeInPlaceNYC legislative package.

Thank you also to Council Members Lynn Schulman, Kristen Richardson Jordan, Linda Lee, Alexa Avilés, Gale Brewer, Julie Menin, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Tiffany Cabán, and Christopher Marte in sponsoring some or all of this package.