FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Monday, July 1
CONTACT: emma@newdealstrategies.com
LIVEON NY RELEASES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO FINAL NYC BUDGET
NEW YORK, NY — In response to the finalized NYC budget, Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY released the following statement:
“This budget season, we faced extreme cuts and underinvestment to older adult services, which would have inevitably led to long waitlists for services, crumbling infrastructure and less access to critical social support for older adults. Within the City’s $112.4B enacted budget, the Mayor still has contributed zero dollars to resolve these severe gaps in funding.
“With the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams and Aging Chair Councilmember Crystal Hudson, we were able to save $16.95 million in previously cut funding, including $4.75 million to increase funding by $1 dollar for each home delivered meal served. The Council also secured billions of dollars for affordable housing development to meet the dire needs outlined in our new report.
“That being said, the work is not done. The City must add $100M into NYC Aging’s budget this coming fall to simply keep pace with current services. Without that funding, upwards of 50-60 older adults centers will close — meaning thousands of older New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs will go without a daily meal, health/wellness services and social services support. We must continue to push the Mayor to take our needs seriously as we age and truly invest in our system. This budget did not meet all the needs of our sector but we will continue to work alongside the City Council in this fight against ageism and for an age-equitable budget.”
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