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Seniors say they're being shortchanged in NYC's budget. They want triple.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Mar 13, 2026
Modified Mar 13, 2026
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Catalina Gonella / Gothamist
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Mar 13, 2026
Modified Mar 13, 2026
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A coalition of New York City’s older adults and advocates is urging city officials to more than triple spending on senior services in the city’s proposed budget, saying more funding is needed to keep up with the growing need for services.
They say the city should dedicate $2.3 billion for initiatives, including ones aimed at nutrition and wellness, housing and community services. That would be a 238% increase from the planned spending in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s preliminary budget proposal, which calls for $616 million to the city’s Department for the Aging.
AARP New York State Director Beth R. Finkel said that number, which represents less than 1% of the budget, is woefully low when meeting the needs of a population that makes up 20% of the city.
“That is such a huge disparity, and honestly, it kind of smacks of ageism and we can't have that in New York and we can't have people struggling,” Finkel said Thursday as seniors, advocates and some elected officials gathered on the steps of City Hall to push for the funding. Council Speaker Julie Menin was among them.
LiveOn NY, a senior advocacy organization leading the push for the $2.3 billion figure, cited increased needs for initiatives including the city’s Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, Citymeals on Wheels, and infrastructure repairs to older adult centers.
Advocates have been sounding the alarm about a growing need for senior services as the city’s older adult population continues to grow and struggles to meet basic needs like food and socializing. Last year, they fended off budget cuts from the Adams administration, but didn’t get close to the $2.3 billion figure, landing at $605 million.
AARP New York State Director Beth R. Finkel speaks in front of City Hall, joined by seniors and advocates. She said the budget allotment for seniors in this year's proposal doesn't come close to meeting their needs.
Catalina Gonella / Gothamist
The $616 million figure in Mamdani’s preliminary budget would have spending for seniors representing a smaller share of the overall budget than in the current fiscal year.
The amount spent on seniors would hold essentially flat, with just an $11 million increase, while the overall budget grows by $11 billion.
Older adults at the rally on Thursday said they rely on services like older adult centers for food, medication, and entertainment.
Usha Mehta, 75, a member of the India Home senior center in Jamaica, Queens, credited the organization with getting her through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I lost my family, three or four lives in a week,” she said. “India Home only was the one who was connected to me every day, calling me every day, making sure I was alive and getting me out of the worst situation. If they left me alone, I don't think I'll be alive.”
Queens resident Kitty Ruderman, an 80-year-old AARP volunteer, said seniors on fixed incomes are disproportionately affected by the city's affordability crisis and need the support.
“My rent just went up for one year, at least $200. My Social Security increase was $35. I mean, and they keep talking about cuts and taking it away.
"As a Council, we owe it to our seniors to make sure they are getting meals, to make sure they have affordable housing, that is non-negotiable to us,” Menin said.
Tagged
Politics
economy
housing
new york city
Catalina Gonella
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