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NYC lawmakers warn of 'crisis' for older New Yorkers if Adams' cuts go through
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 19, 2024
Modified May 20, 2024
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Giulia Heyward/Gothamist
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 19, 2024
Modified May 20, 2024
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Dozens of centers for older adults in New York City could close and meal programs could be diminished if budget cuts proposed by Mayor Eric Adams go through, senior advocates and councilmembers warn.
The city’s Department of the Aging is looking at a $28 million cut from last fiscal year in its $494 million budget proposed by the mayor in the latest round of budget negotiations, according to estimates from Councilmember Crystal Hudson, who chairs the Council’s aging committee. City lawmakers have asked for an additional $78.2 million to fund meal programs, non-profit senior centers and other services for older New Yorkers.
“The Council is especially troubled in this case that the administration, once again, put precisely zero dollars in response to our proposals,” Council finance chair Justin Brannan said during a budget hearing Friday. “We identified over $1 billion that the mayor's preliminary budget left off the table, which could keep key resources like our older adult centers open, while fully insuring us against economic hazards.”
New York City is home to roughly 1.8 million residents age 65 or older — or more than 25% of the city’s population — according to city officials, though advocates and councilmembers point out the Department of the Aging budget accounts for less than half of 1% of the city’s $112 billion budget.
Tens of thousands of seniors rely on city services, according to city figures. A report last year found the number of older adults in New York City had increased by more than 363,000 from 2011 to 2021, compared with a decline of roughly 138,000 in residents under 65.
Adams’ most recent budget proposal — unveiled last month — contains significant cuts for the Department for the Aging as well as other services older New Yorkers use, such as libraries, parks and emergency food programs. His spending plan includes $494 million in funding for the department in fiscal year 2025 — a cut of $28 million, or more than 5%.
“It’s not fair, [it’s] unrealistic and really divorced from the reality of how people need concrete help to thrive in their later years,” said Allison Nickerson, executive director of the nonprofit LiveOn NY, which focuses on the needs of older New Yorkers.
The potential cuts drew hundreds of seniors to the steps of City Hall on Thursday ahead of Friday's budget hearing, waving signs that read “Seniors deserve dignity and respect!” and “Expand services, expand impact!”
One 79-year-old protester told Gothamist the cuts are particularly unfair considering all that he – and others like him – have given to the city.
“We built this city. We paid taxes in this city. We ran this city for 40 years, okay?” said Robert Ackerson, who frequents the Riverdale Senior Services Center in the Bronx. “We deserve equality and we deserve justice.”
Michael James, 65, attends Hamilton Madison House, a senior center in Chinatown that supplies more than 300 meals a day for its members.
“The center gives the people a lot of resources,” he said. “By cutting the funding, a lot of people are going to be hurt by it.”
The cuts could result in the permanent closure of as many as 60 senior centers starting next January, according to estimates from LiveOn NY.
Hudson, who represents parts of Brooklyn, has criticized the repeated cuts to the department, including those currently proposed. She told Gothamist in an interview that the rollbacks constitute a “crisis” for older New Yorkers.
“We are going to see a decrease in the services and resources, a decrease in access to reliable food sources, a decrease in socialization and activities,” Hudson said.
A spokesperson for the city Department of Aging said it “has made significant progress” since Adams became mayor in 2022.
"Since Mayor Eric Adams took office, the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers was established and has successfully removed silos between agencies that work with older adults so these residents can remain safe, be connected to resources, and prevent ageism in our city," said the spokesperson, Gregory Rose. "The administration has preserved services for aging service providers over this budget cycle and no interruption to services had taken place. In fact, next fiscal year, 80,000 human services workers employed by non-profit organizations (many of whom work with older residents) will be receiving a well-deserved raise."
Rose also disputed the $28 million decrease cited by Hudson's office, arguing it was not accurate because it compares two different budgets: the mayor's proposed executive budget for fiscal year 2026 with the final one passed for this fiscal year.
New Yorkers’ reliance on older adult centers, meal programs and caregiver services all rose in the first four months of this fiscal year, compared to the same period the previous year, according to the most recent Mayor’s Management Report, an official report card for the city.
Nearly 2 million hot meals were provided to more than 86,000 older residents in the city, a 26% increase from the year before. And roughly 112,000 people used older adult centers — an 11% increase — which recorded an average of more than 26,000 daily visits, the report stated.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
Politics
elderly
senior centers
budget
new york city
Department of Aging
City Council
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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