LiveOn NY and Leading Elected Leaders on Aging in NY Raise Alarm on Takedown of US Administration for Community Living

Move by Federal Administration effectively eliminates the only federal agency solely dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities.

In a stunning and deeply alarming move, the federal administration has dissolved the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL)—the only federal agency solely dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities. The ACL oversees critical programs like Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, senior centers, elder abuse prevention, and other lifelines that millions rely on every day.

Now, the Department of Health and Human Services is carving up these programs behind closed doors, offering little transparency and even fewer answers. This is not just bureaucratic reshuffling—it’s a direct attack on the safety and dignity of Americans as we age.

These moves are part of a continued assault on the 4.8 million older adults and 4.1 family caregivers in New York State — new red tape strangling Social Security, threats to emergency food assistance, ongoing efforts to undermine Medicaid, and, now, the dismantling of our nation’s aging support infrastructure altogether.

This isn’t policy. It’s abandonment. And hardworking New Yorkers and Americans who have paid into these systems for decades deserve far better than this.

“Eliminating the Administration for Community Living is not just reckless—it’s un-American. Gutting programs like Meals on Wheels and caregiver support abandons the very people who built this country and paid into these systems their entire lives. This isn’t just a policy shift; it’s a moral failure and blatantly un-American.”— Allison Nickerson, Executive Director, LiveOn NY

"Seniors are the fastest growing population in New York and in many parts of our country. The federal government should be doing one thing only—modernizing and expanding funding and programs under the Older Americans Act and the Administration for Community Living. A DOGE-style approach to our older Americans is not only unwise, irrational, and impractical, but an absolute insult to those who have long paid their dues to this nation. I suggest this plan be recalled like the 5.1 million Teslas recalled in 2024," said State Senator Cordell Cleare, Chair of the Aging Committee

State Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright, Chair of the Aging Committee said, “Older adults already face housing, food and healthcare insecurity. It is unconscionable that the Trump administration would move to dissolve the US Administration for Community Living (ACL). This is a desertion of 4.6 million New Yorkers and their access to vital services that keep them safe and aging with dignity. I will continue to marshal every resource to protect aging New Yorkers and the quality of life that they have earned.”

“Our nation’s older adult population is growing rapidly, but government at all levels has failed to plan for an aging population,” said New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Aging Committee. “According to ACL, the number of older Americans has jumped 34 percent over the past decade compared to a 2 percent jump for those under 65. Despite this, the Trump administration is eliminating the only agency focused on supporting our nation’s nearly 58 million older adults. It’s clear this administration is focused on eliminating programs that support marginalized communities, and taking away benefits from those who have contributed so much to our country over their entire life. I will continue to stand with my colleagues in Albany and our nonprofit partners to fight any attempt to erode older adult services and collaborate to ensure every single older adult can age in place with dignity.”

LiveOn NY Testifies at New York City Council Executive Aging Budget Hearing

New York City Council

Committee on Aging

Chair Hudson

Committee on Finance

Chair Brannan

May 17th, 2024

Executive Aging Budget FY25

My name is Kevin Kiprovski and I am the Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

LiveOn NY’s members include more than 110 community-based nonprofits that provide core services under the NYCAging portfolio and many other home and community based services in our city. 

Background

Over 200 older adults have submitted testimony today in strong opposition to the Mayor’s budget and shared their stories about how these services keep them connected to their communities and their lives. 

Ageism is pervasive in this year’s executive budget, with a built in hole of about $80 million dollars that threatens to disconnect older New Yorkers from the services and the support they need to stay involved in their communities. We testified earlier this year that older adult centers are in dire need of $82 million dollars to shore up the existing system, and in response we see a budget that will cut an additional $100 million and close older adult centers and reduce services across the city. 

We are an aging city, and we must invest in that reality. The current paltry aging budget, less than a half of a percent of the budget, is not an adequate investment in our future. 

Recommendations

• Maintain the existing council discretionary funding to keep our system whole. 

• $50 Million to create a capital funding pot to get centers and resources in a state of good repair. There must be a baselined funding stream that keeps the physical spaces and resources of our system in good repair. Organizations cannot contract with the city on these services if the city cannot commit to paying for the resources needed to do this work.  

•  $20 million to expand social work support across the network  to allow for more service to New Yorkers. Organizations on average need 2 more case managers and 1 intake staff to create a program that can keep talent and serve the community well. This will allow higher needs cases to be handled effectively and keep the focus on service instead of admin work.  

• $12 million to increase the per meal rate for HDM programs to $15.31 per meal. HDM providers report an average deficit of $2.53 dollars per meal served, the contract with the city should at least pay for the services that they require. 

• Rethink our aging system and fully fund the true needs of aging services in New York. The proportion of the budget spent on aging must be drastically increased and we must understand that every dollar invested improves quality of life for so many in our city and saves money in the long run. 

• Reverse ALL cuts to the aging system. A fiscal cliff and unreversed PEGs will leave our already underfunded system on the verge of collapse. We must reimagine how we fund aging services across our city. We have a system that can create a just city and a place where we can all age 

 Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

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For questions, please email Kevin Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY, kkiprovski@liveon-ny.org.

LiveOn NY’s members provide the core, community-based services that allow older adults to thrive in their communities. With a base of more than 100 community-based organizations serving at least 300,000 older New Yorkers annually. Our members provide services ranging from senior centers, congregate and home-delivered meals, affordable senior housing with services, elder abuse prevention services, caregiver supports, case management, transportation, and NORCs. LiveOn NY advocates for increased funding for these vital services to improve both the solvency of the system and the overall capacity of community-based service providers.

LiveOn NY also administers a citywide outreach program and staffs a hotline that educates, screens and helps with benefit enrollment including SNAP, SCRIE and others, and also administers the Rights and Information for Senior Empowerment (RISE) program to bring critical information directly to seniors on important topics to help them age well in their communities.

LiveOn NY Holds 29th Annual Aging Advocacy Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 16th, 2024

CONTACT: emma@newdealstrategies.com

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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LiveOn NY's Response to the Mayor's FY25 Executive Budget Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

CONTACT: emma@newdealstrategies.com

“CUTS TO AGING NEW YORKERS WILL LEAVE THEM STRANDED, HUNGRY AND ABANDONED” 

LIVEON NY CALLS ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL, MAYOR ERIC ADAMS TO END AUSTERITY BUDGETS FOR NEW YORKERS YOUNG AND AGING

NEW YORK, NY — In response to Mayor Eric Adams’ Executive Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2025, LiveOn NY released the following statement:

“This year, we have overwhelmingly seen New York’s city and state budgets cut funding from older adults, leading to long waitlists, crumbling infrastructure, underfunded meals-on-wheels programs for homebound individuals and leaving senior centers understaffed and under-resourced. Our older adult centers are already in crisis, worse yet, under these austerity measures, they are set to face an $80 million fiscal cliff in 2025, which will result in the closure of upwards of 50 centers and cuts to critical programs such as meals on wheels and case management among others.

“Not only are we calling on the Governor and the Mayor to stop cutting support for aging New Yorkers that would leave them stranded, hungry and abandoned, we are demanding an infusion of new funds to simply keep pace with inflation, demographic shifts, and physical infrastructure and basic services needs. NYC Aging’s budget must be significantly more than half of one percent of the City’s budget. 

“More than any specific budget amounts, the most egregious part of these budgets is the disconnect from reality — real people are struggling, older adults and caregivers throughout this State are desperately trying to access services and age in New York. To build a more just society where everyone can access health and well-being, we need to refocus our efforts to address the needs of all groups — including older adults.” 

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LiveOn NY’s Testimony at FY25 Preliminary Budget Aging Hearing

New York City Council

Committee on Aging

Chair Hudson

March 8th, 2024

Preliminary Aging Budget FY25

My name is Kevin Kiprovski, and I am the Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

LiveOn NY’s members include more than 110 community-based nonprofits that provide core services under the NYC Aging portfolio and many other home and community based services in our city. 

Background

Council discretionary funding is foundational to the work our network does, as a disproportionate amount of funding comes from each of you and your colleagues' offices when compared to the administration’s investment. We are so grateful for your support and without it our current system would not be possible, so a heartfelt thank you from us and our members.   

Older Adult Services have huge capital needs due to deteriorating spaces, appliances, and vehicles that have gone without necessary upgrades for the past decade. Case management organizations are serving individuals with more intensive mental health issues with less funding from the city. At the same time the administration is cutting $18 million dollars from OACs with planned cuts of over $50 million dollars in the next 5 fiscal years to a system that they have refused to comprehensively invest in citing administrative hurdles and a lack of need that does not match the reality of older adults across our city. 

• Organizations have broken refrigerators, floors, bathrooms, kitchens, vans, HVAC systems, roofs, elevators, and many other capital items. The administration is penalizing organizations for these issues, but when organizations request funding to repair them they are either juggled through agencies, asked to use their non-existent accruals, or denied for a litany of reasons. 

• Older adult centers in NYCHA spaces have faced the brunt of this, as some have physically collapsed or have such comprehensive mold issues that they cannot open and are not being used. This is part of the “underutilization” argument the administration has been using to justify cuts to the system. The lack of a functional partnership between NYC Aging and NYCHA and confusion arising from RAD conversions has made it difficult for programs operating in these spaces to receive any capital funding. 

• Case management contracts have seen a reduction in resources across the board leading to a loss of administrative staff and increases in the caseloads of case managers from 65 to over 80 in some instances. Clients are also presenting with higher rates of undiagnosed mental health issues and dementia and are being released from rehab and hospitals after extended stays back into their homes which have deteriorated rapidly due to their absence and in some cases are uninhabitable. 

• Home Delivered Meals providers have been operating with a $2.53 average deficit per meal served that will be continued in the new RFP. 

Recommendations

• Maintain the existing council discretionary funding to keep our system whole. 

• ($50 Million) to create a capital funding pot to get centers and resources in a state of good repair. There must be a baselined funding stream that keeps the physical spaces and resources of our system in good repair. Organizations cannot contract with the city on these services if the city cannot commit to paying for the resources needed to do this work.  

• Identify and reform existing obstructions to providing capital funding across the board, but particularly with NYCHA and RAD converted properties. Organizations have been able to secure capital funding through alternative city, state and federal sources for projects that were not approved for capital funding by the administration. Administrative hurdles should not be cited as the reason older adult centers are falling apart and the city has the ability to change its own rules to get the funding where it needs to be.

•  $20 million to expand social work support across the network  to allow for more service to New Yorkers. Organizations on average need 2 more case managers and 1 intake staff to create a program that can keep talent and serve the community well. This will allow higher needs cases to be handled effectively and keep the focus on service instead of admin work.  

• $12 million to increase the per meal rate for HDM programs to $15.31 per meal. HDM providers report an average deficit of $2.53 dollars per meal served, the contract with the city should at least pay for the services that they require. 

• Reverse ALL cuts to the aging system. We have identified acute needs across the system that any currently unspent funds could be used to remedy. Pulling money out of this system will only create a death spiral through physical deterioration of centers and resources, or fiscal insolvency for many smaller providers. 

 Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

_____________________________________________________________________________

For questions, please email Kevin Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY, kkiprovski@liveon-ny.org.

LiveOn NY’s members provide the core, community-based services that allow older adults to thrive in their communities. With a base of more than 100 community-based organizations serving at least 300,000 older New Yorkers annually. Our members provide services ranging from senior centers, congregate and home-delivered meals, affordable senior housing with services, elder abuse prevention services, caregiver supports, case management, transportation, and NORCs. LiveOn NY advocates for increased funding for these vital services to improve both the solvency of the system and the overall capacity of community-based service providers.

LiveOn NY also administers a citywide outreach program and staffs a hotline that educates, screens and helps with benefit enrollment including SNAP, SCRIE and others, and also administers the Rights and Information for Senior Empowerment (RISE) program to bring critical information directly to seniors on important topics to help them age well in their communities.