Advocating for a budget that honors the dignity and needs of older residents

AARP DC proudly represents 68,000 members in the District, and on behalf of them and all older District residents, we are advocating for a budget that honors the dignity and needs of older residents. For the FY2026 budget, our message is clear: District seniors deserve their fair share of the pie.

We applaud the Mayor’s proposed increases: $930,000 for home-delivered meals and $302,000 for community dining. With 11% of older households facing food insecurity and D.C. ranking #1 for senior hunger, these investments are essential. AARP data shows 17% of residents 45+ rarely eat a nutritious meal weekly.

We also support the $300,000 boost to Safe at Home, helping older adults to live safely at home.

However, we’re concerned about proposed cuts to the Department on Aging and Community Living:

• $1.2 million cut to caregiving services, threatening support for 74,000 unpaid family caregivers who provide 69 million hours of care annually, valued at $1.37 billion.
• $517,000 cut to senior transportation, further limiting access to community and resources.
• $170,000 cut to Senior Wellness Centers, essential for physical and mental wellbeing.

We ask you to commit to restoring DACL funding along with the following:

• Fully fund the Certified Nurses Aide Amendment Act of 2024 to ensure fair pay for frontline care workers.
• Restore Access to Justice Grants to FY25 levels ($31.5M) to support legal services for vulnerable residents, including older adults and persons with disabilities.
• Reverse the BSA act, Title I, Subtitle F, which reduces Paid Family Leave for caregivers from 80 hours to 20 hours.
• Restore Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding by $21.9M to prevent housing instability among low-income seniors.

These aren’t just budget items—they’re essential services. Investing in aging programs is both the right and fiscally smart choice. They help seniors stay safely in their homes, avoid costlier institutional care, and build an Age-Friendly DC. We urge the Council to restore these funds and ensure every older resident gets their fair share of the pie.