FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 16th, 2024

LIVEON NY JOINED NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER ADRIENNE ADAMS, NYC COUNCILMEMBERS AND OLDER NEW YORKERS TO DEMAND FUNDING FOR AGING SERVICES AND STOP OLDER ADULT CENTER CLOSURES

NEW YORK, NY — Today, LiveOn members, hundreds of older New Yorkers and advocates gathered outside NYC City Hall to demand that the city fund critical resources for aging populations, including essential maintenance of older adult centers, fully funded home delivered meals programs and improved case management services. These cuts unjustly target Older New Yorkers and will cut people off from resources from food to community engagement, in short it’s an ageist attack on our aging population. The aging services network has $82 million in existing needs to repair crumbling centers, fund meals-on-wheels, and end the social services wait list.

With his recent city budget proposal, Mayor Eric Adams has cut $20 million from NYC aging, which has already faced divestment and is set to cut an additional $80 million. This will close as many as 60 centers as early as January 2025. The program’s lack of funding has created a deep social service need, crumbling infrastructure and burnt out staff. The immediate critical need for our system was estimated at $82 million dollars to keep older adult centers open, homebound older adults fed and critical service support available.

See photo and video from the event here.

“Mayor Eric Adams’ deeply unpopular, austerity budget has cut essential services from nearly every community. Our city’s aging population is no exception. Programs that older adults rely on to live healthy and fulfilling lives will be cut, including meals-on-wheels programs, transportation and case management services. In addition to that, we’re looking at the closure of 30-60 older adult centers across our city. We have to do better,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY.

“Every ounce of progress we enjoy today was earned because of older New Yorkers. You are the jewels of our communities. You ushered us into a brand new era of equity and justice and for that we owe you a debt of gratitude. We can start by securing a budget that invests in the health and wellbeing of older New Yorkers. That’s why we’re gathered here today. To ensure that you get what you rightfully deserve. That’s why we’re calling on the administration to increase funding to cover the cost of older adult meals, older adults case management and homecare services and older adult centers. ” said NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

“We cannot accept indiscriminate budget cuts to the programs that keep our communities afloat; and this is certainly the case for NYC Aging,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging. “It would be irresponsible to underestimate the effects these cuts will have on our already-strained resources and cash-strapped service providers. Yet, this administration seems unconcerned that poverty and food insecurity are becoming more and more commonplace among older New Yorkers; that our older adult population has increased by more than 30% in the last decade and is expected to balloon 40% by 2040. This should be a moment of investment. We should be bolstering and expanding the resources NYC Aging and their contracted providers offer to millions of our neighbors today so that we may guarantee dignified aging for all New Yorkers tomorrow. I look forward to working with Speaker Adams to ensure we deliver the care our older neighbors deserve.”

"All older adults should be alarmed by the Mayor’s proposed cuts to aging services. NYC Aging receives less than 1 percent of the city budget, despite 20 percent of residents being 65 or older. Next year, NYC Aging’s budget will be $73 million less than in fiscal year 2025, even though the city’s Independent Budget Office projects an extra $2.2 billion in available funds. These cuts could close up to 60 older adult centers—vital community hubs providing essential services, like meals, for our rapidly aging population. New Yorkers 50-plus helped build our city but have been ignored for too long. We were proud to stand with LiveOn NY and hundreds of advocates at City Hall to oppose these ageist cuts to critical aging services,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York.

“It is asinine that this administration would think to make cuts to our seniors and the services that are provided for you all. We will fight through and through for this budget to make sure that these cuts do not come into fruition because we know that you are the legacy and each and every one of our communities,” said NYC Councilmember Chi Osse.

“Representation is important. We have to make sure that we vote for the people that support us. A report that came out yesterday from the Independent Budget Office that says the city has taken in more than 2 billion dollars in additional tax revenue, we need to make sure that we spend that on our seniors,” said NYC Councilmember Lynn Schulman.

“I really want to express my support for all of you, for the work you do. It is unbelievable to think that so many people who did their time, who built our communities up, who raised children — children who weren’t their children, all the kids on the block — are not able to find a place that they can live in that's safe and dignified and healthy. I think that it is a shame that this is even on the chopping block. It shouldn’t even be a discussion point. We have to take care of the people who built this city and took care of us.” said NYC Councilmember Sandy Nurse.

“Let me say this to our older adults: We are obligated to fight and protect you. Thank you to our speaker, Adrienne Adams who's been leading the fight, CM Hudson, and all the electeds who have been making sure we protect our seniors. You paved the way for us, you made it possible. We are going to fight for you, day in and day out. We are not going to give up.” said NYC Councilmember Chris Banks.

“We refuse these cuts. They are cruel, counterproductive and absolutely egregious. What the Mayor is signaling is that he does not care about you. We demand dignity, we demand justice and we demand a city that says that our older adult communities deserve joy and compassion,” said NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif.

“You have made our neighborhoods great. You have made our communities strong. We need to invest in each and every one of you. We’re never going to let this Mayor take funding away from our senior centers or let him cut funds for the home meals that we deliver to our seniors. He’s already cut library services down to 6 days a week. He wants to reduce it further. Our seniors depend on our libraries. The mayor has cut affordable housing in the budget this year. Our seniors need affordable senior housing. We’re going to invest in each and every one of you,” said NYC Councilmember Lincoln Restler.

“You have all worked for decades and decades. You invested your time, your energy and your soul to make your family and for our city. It’s because of all of you and your investments that we are where we are today. So we’re asking the city budget to take care of you who have built this city. Senior centers support your mental health, they are your support system. During COVID, who was it that took care of our seniors? It was our senior centers, it was groups like LiveOn NY,” said NYC Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.

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