City Council Candidate Responses

District 42

Candidate: Nikki Lucas

1. Please briefly share your background and note any experiences you may have in engaging older adults, whether professionally or personally, and in connecting with the non-profit sector.

I am a 40 year resident of Starrett City and an advocate for East New York residents. Over the past 20 years I implemented many programs and initiatives that continue to uplift and empower residents throughout Brooklyn and citywide. For the past three years I partnered with the New York for Seniors initiative, bringing the New York for Seniors Health & Wellness Resource Series to seniors and caregivers throughout New York City.  Besides working directly with senior centers, I also host and moderate the Healthcare Panel Discussion series, which gives me the opportunity to connect healthcare experts directly to seniors and caregivers, bringing much needed resources and information to thousands of seniors each year.

2. As we live longer and healthier lives, what are your priorities with respect to promoting equity across all ages in our City?

I am currently the Outreach Director for Senior Outreach Services of New York, therefore I fight for equity for aging adults everyday.  I will make sure age discrimination laws are investigated and enforced, as well as making sure there are opportunities for aging adults within the city agencies.

3. Do you support increasing the budget for the Department for the Aging (DFTA), which funds programs such as Senior Centers, NORCs, home-delivered meals, and more? Please give rationale for your response and specify any specific funding changes you are most committed to achieving.

Absolutely.  I want to make sure every senior center is fully equipped with technology to train and educate seniors on the use of laptops, ipads, and smart phones.  Through this pandemic seniors suffered because they were not prepared with the needed technology.  We need technology that is specific to seniors.  I would like to see seniors using technology daily within the senior centers. I will fight to make sure every senior center is properly funded and properly promoted to bring seniors out to the centers. 

4. Do you support implementing a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for city-contracted human service workers and the full implementation of the Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) initiative for non-profits? Please explain your response.

Yes, I support COLA. I know firsthand that city contracts for non profits do not take into account the additional services needed to properly fulfill the contract itself.  For example, if a non profit receives a grant to provide services to more seniors, that contract most likely would not include the cost for expanding their space.  Another example is when a non profit secures a grant or city contract, there are no funds baked in for outreach, which means the services might not be maximized because there are no funds to provide the proper outreach to inform the community of the new service that is available.  My experience working with seniors on a daily basis will be valuable when I am in City Hall.

5. Given that many older New Yorkers rely on limited fixed incomes and would prefer to age in community, rather than entering costly nursing homes, how will you address the need for affordable senior housing with services for a growing older population? How will you evaluate/respond to affordable senior housing proposals during ULURP?

The data shows that the senior population will continue to be the largest growing demographic and we have to prepare for housing for this growing population.  New York City remains one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. I would fight to expand the number of senior apartments to match the growth of the senior population. Senior housing proposals must also provide a well thought out plan for senior services, including a senior center, transportation and health care options.  Rents must be based on the fixed income of seniors.  All developments must include the proper ramps and elevators.

6. While many older adults wish to be connected, many lack the financial resources or training necessary to fully access technology, exacerbating the digital divide. How would you encourage the City to address this?

The city MUST invest in technology, including devices and training for seniors.  The pandemic was an eye opener, as seniors were alone with many being disconnected from resources and information because of the lack of technology training.  During the New York for Seniors events we worked directly with organizations like Sprint and AT&T to provide seniors with training on how to use their smartphones.  I also worked with New York for Seniors in the creation an easy to use app for seniors to keep them connected. Everything was always free to seniors through our partnership with health care organizations.

7. During COVID-19, Senior Centers continued to work remotely, offering services in new ways to ensure their clients’ needs were met. To date, providers have not been authorized to operate in-person, despite restaurants, movies, and other entities, which older adults could also attend, being open. Further, community-based organizations, in many cases, have not been leveraged in the new meal delivery system. What are ways that you feel the City should work with nonprofits and engage older adults in the event of a future emergency?

Community based organizations should have a senior-focused component whereby working directly with senior centers and senior housing developments to make sure seniors are always connected to resources and information.  Through such a partnership community based organizations will already be prepared to work with seniors during an emergency.  During this pandemic there was a disconnect between services and seniors. Seniors are still struggling at this very moment. I know firsthand because I work with seniors everyday.

8. With 1 in 5 New Yorkers over the age of 60, what are the changes you would seek to make to create a more age-friendly district? Please consider addressing the physical infrastructure of your district (walkability, accessibility, etc.), health care access, safety net resources, and other district specific items of note.

I would like to have senior services available to seniors where they live. We need the expansion of services in health care, transportation, healthy food, exercise and social interaction.  The senior centers remain crucial locations because they are typically located where the seniors live. We need to expand health care options within the centers through a partnership with the local hospitals and health centers, bringing resources to seniors at the centers. 

9. In the event of a budget shortfall, how would you push for the City to close the gap? Are there agencies or programs you feel should or should not absorb cuts? Please be specific.

I would strongly advocate for there never to be cut to senior centers, senior transportation or senior housing.  Additionally I would work hard to advocate for the expansion of food partners to expand pantry and delivery services to seniors.  Housing, food, transportation and socializing are crucial to seniors living a high quality of life.

10. How should your constituents look to measure your success in achieving your responses outlined above?

My success can be measured by the increase in the number of seniors who will be trained in technology as well as the increased number of seniors who will be participating in senior center activities.  Additionally my success can be measured by the number of senior apartments are made available to seniors within the district.