AARP Commends NYC Council, Mayor For Increased Funding For Aging Services In FY22

AARP New York applauded the New York City Council and Mayor for agreeing on an FY22 budget that increases investments.

This is in the City’s aging services and the nonprofit providers that deliver those services, as the organization continues to examine the details of the FY22 Adopted Budget.

The investments made in the FY22 “Recovery Budget” are particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically increasing the demand for services to help older adults age safely in the homes and communities they love.

In the long-term, however, the City will need to increase base-lined investments in these programs to help older New Yorkers and the nonprofits that support them, as well as think beyond the influx of federal stimulus funds to ensure sustainable and equitable funding for aging-related services.

Older adults are among the fastest-growing age groups across New York City and they have a wide array of specific needs.

Already, more than 20 percent of City residents are over the age of 65, yet the Department for the Aging’s (DFTA) budget has historically been underfunded at less than half of a percentage of the City’s budget, despite the growing need for these services among New Yorkers.

Already, more than 20 percent of City residents are over the age of 65, yet the Department for the Aging’s (DFTA) budget has historically been underfunded at less than half of a percentage of the City’s budget, despite the growing need for these services among New Yorkers.

Preliminary information shows DFTA’s budget will again remain below one-half of one percent of the overall City budget.

“We’re glad to see the City Council and Mayor increase investment in aging services at a time when older New Yorkers need them most,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel.  “We’re grateful to those who fought for funding to make sure crucial programs can continue to help New Yorkers age safely in place, and that the nonprofits providing those services are compensated fairly. However, there’s more work to be done to fully meet the needs of our city’s fast-growing older population, and we hope that the next Mayor and City Council build upon this effort and make long-term investments to support older New Yorkers.”

The FY22 budget includes the largest investments in DFTA’s budget to date and restores almost all the City Council’s Senior Service initiatives to pre-pandemic funding levels.

The budget also enhances funding for key initiatives, including:

• $6.4 million for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs),
• $7.14 million for Support Our Seniors, and
• $3.4 million for the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative.

Additionally, the budget also includes funding for the Indirect Cost Rate initiative, which will help ensure nonprofit organizations are adequately compensated for the programs they run on behalf of the City.

Disappointingly, the budget did not include the funding that AARP and other advocates sought to meet the increased demand for home-delivered meals, nor did it include the full 3% Cost of Living Adjustment to support nonprofit workers who have provided these important services throughout COVID-19.

Disappointingly, the budget did not include the funding that AARP and other advocates sought to meet the increased demand for home-delivered meals, nor did it include the full 3% Cost of Living Adjustment to support nonprofit workers who have provided these important services throughout COVID-19.

AARP will be urging the next Mayor and City Council to build on the foundation of the “Recovery Budget” by making long-term investments in these and other services for older New Yorkers.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age.

With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment.

With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment.

AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol