MEDIA: Senior advocates urge overhaul of underused rent freeze program

Bobbie Sackman. (LiveOn NY)

By: SALLY GOLDENBERG
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Publication & Publisher: Capital NewYork

A coalition advocating for elderly New Yorkers will issue a report Tuesday calling on the de Blasio administration to overhaul an underused city program that provides rent relief for senior citizens — changes that would cost the administration several hundred million dollars.

The 17-page report, compiled by affordable housing organization Enterprise Community Partners and nonprofit LiveOn NY and provided to POLITICO, calls for City Hall to freeze rents for qualifying seniors at 33 percent of their income. The change would reduce costs for many tenants and would cost the city an estimated $324 million a year in foregone property tax revenue.

As part of the 46-year-old program, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), City Hall gives property tax abatements to participating landlords to make up for the income they are losing.

The agency that administers the program, the Department of Finance, recently said that nearly 80,000 seniors who qualify are not enrolled, often because they do not know about it. By the time seniors sign up for the rent break, they are often already paying more than a third of their incomes on rent.

"I think there needs to be an understanding that a fixed income is a fixed income. Most older adults tend to become poorer as they get older, because their income doesn't buy as much as the cost of living increases. This means that there are those older New Yorkers who have to pay their rent and are indeed choosing between food, medication and other daily needs," Bobbie Sackman of LiveOn NY said in an interview. "This is an opportunity for the city to say to older New Yorkers, 'We're going to make sure that you have the peace of mind and the safety net in terms of affordable housing.'"

A typical senior who participates in the program has an annual income of $16,504, and more than 26,000 SCRIE recipients take in less than that — $11,000 per year, on average — which leaves them with $183 a month in discretionary cash, the report found.

The city's senior population is growing as life expectancies climb. More than 100,000 single seniors currently spend at least half of their income on housing costs, a share that in housing terms gets them classified as "severely rent-burdened," according to a report released by the Citizens Budget Commission last fall.

Freezing rents for SCRIE enrollees at half their income would cost the city less — $225 million instead of $324 million. The current program costs about $137 million a year, according to the study.

A change to the program would require legislative approval in Albany — a hostile political climate for the mayor, and one where he has had mixed success in furthering his agenda.

In an emailed statement, the city Department of Finance said it would back the changes suggested in the report.

"SCRIE is a priority program of the Department of Finance and for the city. In the last two years, we have initiated and supported a range of new rent freeze legislation to raise the income limit, to extend the renewal process, to create new rules for benefit takeover and we want to see this pass as well," the agency said.

The rent caps suggested in the analysis are included in legislation that has been introduced in both houses of the state Legislature.

"This is our bill that would allow renters back into the rent freeze program at their old, frozen rent after losing the benefit for one lease term because of a spike in income, but later re-qualify," the agency added.

Under the current law, seniors who fall out of the program re-enter at a higher rate.

The report also calls on the administration to launch a television and subway ad campaign to boost enrollment.

Sackman said she had asked city officials, to no avail, to tack on a mention of SCRIE in a $1 million ad campaign to tout a rent freeze last year.

"It was a missed opportunity," she said.

The report comes two months after de Blasio partnered with senior advocates, namely the AARP, to push through zoning changes intended to create more below-market-rate housing throughout the city. At the time, he acknowledged SCRIE is underused and said he wanted to fix that.

"The number of severely rent-burdened seniors living on less than a shoestring budget is appalling," Judi Kende of Enterprise said. "A SCRIE rollback is critical, because it will improve outcomes for the elderly by allowing them to afford rent as well as food and medicine, and it will prevent eviction, which has a huge social and economic cost."

LiveOn NY and Enterprise Community Partners release a groundbreaking report recommending that all seniors on SCRIE have their rent capped at one-third of their income.

Printable Verison for this Press Release note: acrobat format
Reducing Rent Burden for Elderly New Yorkers: Improving the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program note: acrobat format

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stephanie Ramirez
212-784- 5704
sramirez@groupgordon.com

New Report Finds NYS Program Freezing Rent Increases for Seniors Is Underutilized, Many Rent Burdened Even with Rent Freeze

Enterprise Community Partners and LiveOn NY reportproposes lower rent capfor SCRIE, improved outreach to increase enrollment among low-income seniors

New York, NY – May 17, 2016 – Eligible New York City seniors are underutilizing a city rent freeze program and those who do sign up remain rent burdened, according to a new report released today by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and LiveOn NY.

The report, Reducing Rent Burden for Elderly New Yorkers: Improving the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program, analyzedthe current enrollment and need of the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program (SCRIE), which freezes rent for New Yorkers over the age of 62 living in rent regulated housing and paying more than one-third of their income on rent.

The report found that while 32 percent of New York City’s single seniors are severely rent burdened, or paying over half of their income on rent, only 43 percent of those eligible for SCRIE (approximately 52,000 households out of 121,729) actually sign up. Of those on SCRIE, 85 percent are rent burdened, or paying more than the one third of their income on housing, and 55 percent are severely rent burdened.

“Seniors in NYC deserve to live in safe housing that they can afford. Unfortunately, far too many of our older neighbors spend a majority of their income on rent, leaving them with few resources to afford other necessities including food and health care,” said Judi Kende, Vice President and New York Market Leader for Enterprise. “SCRIE is a valuable tool that can help reduce and prevent rent burden for seniors, but it needs to be updated and better utilized in order to help our growing senior population remain stably housed and age in place.”

IgalJellinek, Executive Director, LiveOn NY, states, “LiveOn NY is proud to release this SCRIE analysis report with Enterprise Community Partners. SCRIE is the best preservation program in New York City for older New Yorkers to remain in their homes at an affordable rent and is the perfect fit with Mayor de Blasio's affordable housing initiative. Only 43% of those eligible seniors are on SCRIE. It is astounding that the majority of SCRIE beneficiaries are spending over 50% and even 70% of their income in rent. A fixed income is a fixed income. This report recommends that all older adults on SCRIE spend no more than one-third of their income in rent. It also calls for a sustained public awareness campaign to educate older adults and their family members about SCRIE. We look forward to working with the administration and other government partners to make sure all older New Yorkers can access SCRIE and pay an affordable rent.”

Additional findings from the report include:

• Severely rent burdened seniors on SCRIE have a median income of about $11,000 per year, with a median residual income leftover after rent of $183/month to purchase food, utilities, basic necessities, and health care.
• Rent burdened seniors on SCRIE have a median income of about $20,000 per year, leaving them ineligible for benefits like food stamps.
• Unaffordable housing conditions can lead to unhealthy outcomes, such as skipping meals or doctor visits, not filling prescriptions, and even elder abuse.

“AARP New York commends Enterprise and LiveOn NY for undertaking a comprehensive examination of the SCRIE program and proposing sensible recommendations that would go a long way to help aging New Yorkers afford their rent,” said Christopher R. Widelo, Associate State Director, AARP New York. More than half of adults eligible for SCRIE are not enrolled in the program. AARP fully supports the groups’ recommendations that New York City increase SCRIE outreach and cap rents for SCRIE enrollees at one third of their income.”

Calling for a two-pronged approach to expanding SCRIE’s impact, the report analyzes the cost of strengthening the program by capping rents at one-third or one-half of household income for beneficiaries and generating more public awareness of SCRIE to increase enrollment rates.

Monsignor Alfred LoPinto, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queensand affiliate agencies, added, “Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is the largest provider of affordable senior housing in New York City, and provides critical services to thousands of seniors on fixed incomes each day. For many of these older adults, the meal provided at our Senior Centers and delivered to the homebound is the only meal they eat that day. Many seniors are forced to choose between food and rent, which is why programs such as SCRIE are so critical for our seniors. We need to improve the SCRIE program to ensure it best serves all vulnerable seniors who call New York City home.”

By capping the rent of SCRIE participants at one-third of their income, the percentage of rent burdened and severely rent burdened seniors would come down to zero at an estimated annual cost of $324 million at current enrollment levels. In contrast, capping rent at 50 percent of incomes would reduce the percentage of severely rent burdened seniors on SCRIE to zero, but maintain the percentage of rent burdened seniors at 85 percent at an estimated annual cost of $225 million.

“Without rental support from SCRIE, the thousands of seniors that contend with housing insecurity because of their rent burden cannot be sufficiently addressed.  HANAC applauds the tremendous work of Enterprise Community Partners to change the conversation about this program and tap into the potential of this underutilized resource to protect the long-term affordability of our senior occupied rental units.  On a personal note, thanks to SCRIE, my father can continue to afford the apartment in Queens he raised me and my family—givinghim great piece of mind that his retirement pension can cover the cost of his rent in perpetuity,” notedJohn Napolitano, Director of Community Development & Planning, HANAC, Inc.

Additionally, the report attributes low enrollment in SCRIE to lack of awareness and callsfor a more robust outreach campaign targeting eligible tenants as well as landlords, similar to the grassroots campaign employed for recruiting and enrolling families in universal pre-k.

“The City’s SCRIE program is one of the best tools for preserving affordable housing for our City's seniors and enables them to satisfy rent requirements to live independently in the safety and comfort of their own homes and communities. The report issued by Enterprise highlights staggering data about the rent burden of current enrollees. Older adults living on fixed incomes are often still paying over 50% of their incomes on rent. I commend the City for their efforts to ensure that all eligible seniors can take advantage of this program, and we look forward to continuing to work with government, as well as Enterprise Community Partners, Live On NY and other senior service providers to make SCRIE more accessible and valuable,” said Stuart C. Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, Selfhelp Community Services.

About Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.

Enterprise works with partners nationwide to build opportunity. We create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to jobs, good schools, health care and transportation. We lend funds, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy. Over more than 30 years, Enterprise has created nearly 340,000 homes, invested $18.6 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.com or www.EnterpriseCommunity.org.

About LiveOn NY

LiveOn NY is a non-profit organization recognized as a leader in making New York State a better place to age. Founded in 1979, it is recognized as a leader in aging that connects resources, advocates for positive change, and builds, supports and fosters innovation. With over 100 member organizations providing community based services through more than 600 programs, LiveOn NY's members range from individual community-based centers to large multi-service, citywide organizations. Our goal is to help all New Yorkers age with confidence, grace and vitality.   www.liveon-ny.org

###

MEDIA: Seniors Demand "Fair Share" of NYC Budget

Seniors Demand Fair Share of NYC Budget _ Public News Service

Download

More than 350 seniors took part in a day of advocacy. (A Nickerson/LiveOn NY)

May 12, 2016
NEW YORK - More than 350 seniors and social workers descended on New York City's City Hall Wednesday to demand a fair share of the city budget for services through the Department for the Aging, and more support for family caregivers. 

Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the city's population, but one in five lives in poverty and thousands more are barely above the poverty line. 

According to Bobbie Sackman, director of public policy at LiveOn NY, the city's Department for the Aging pays its case managers about $20,000 a year less than those in other social services.

"Every year, one out of three case managers leaves their job," she said. "You're making $35,000 a year. You have a big caseload, complicated cases. You're not going to stay."

The city budget includes $4.8 million for salary parity for case managers, but Sackman said more than $7 million is needed to raise salaries this year.

Beyond case managers, there are thousands of adults spending 20 or more hours a week to care for an aging parent or spouse. Sackman said passage of the statewide Family Leave Act earlier this year will help, but the city needs to fund supportive services for family caregivers.

"So if you need some home care, if you need somewhere to place your elderly mother so that you can go to work, or caregiver support groups so people can come together and talk," she said. 

She said caregivers who don't get adequate support services are likely to burn out from the stress of work and family.

Under the previous administration, funding for adult day-care services for seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia were cut. This year, Sackman said, they're asking the city for $2.3 million.

"Two-point-three-million dollars was the amount the city was spending under (former mayor Michael) Bloomberg seven or eight years ago and the administration hasn't brought these services back to that level," she added. 

Sackman maintains that by investing in seniors, the city helps them remain in their homes longer and helps their caregivers remain more productive.

Andrea Sears, Public News Service - NY

ALERT: Mayor de Blasio’s Executive Budget includes $4.8 million for Case Manager Salary Parity!

Printable Verison for this Alert note: acrobat format
May 11 2016 Advocacy Day Talking Points note: acrobat format
May 11 2016 Advocacy Day Fair Share for Seniors Budget Priorities Chart note: acrobat format
Confirmed Councilmember Meetings note: acrobat format

April 29, 2016

Celebration Time! 
Mayor de Blasio’s Executive Budget includes $4.8 million for
Case Manager Salary Parity!

LiveOn NY thanks Mayor de Blasio for responding to this critical need.
LiveOn NY thanks DFTA Commissioner Donna Corrado and DFTA for their leadership.

LiveOn NY’s May 11th City Hall Advocacy Day is Building Momentum!

Click here for 2017 Budget Priorities

FY17 Executive Budget includes:

• $4.8 million for Salary Parity
  • Funding full amount in FY17 - In order for the DFTA case management system to hire and retain licensed social workers, funding has been added to raise salaries to $50,000 for case managers and $60,000 for supervisors. This is a first phase in step for FY17. The Executive Budget includes $7.3 million by FY18, which is the full amount needed for these salary levels to be reached. The salary increases need to be done in one year – FY17. LiveOn NY and its members will advocate for the full $7.3 million in FY17 with the administration and City Council. 
  • LiveOn NY met with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in recent weeks to discuss salary parity for case managers and are very pleased to see this big win. 
  • Staff funded by discretionary funds -  The $3 million for case management allocated by City Council last year was not baselined. This funding needs to be baselined and all staff hired must receive the same salary levels, $50,000 and $60,000. The administration must baseline these funds and add in the additional amount to ensure salary parity across the system. LiveOn NY and its members will advocate for the baselining of these funds and additional funding to ensure salary parity across the system.
• Senior center rent baselined - $800,000 was baselined in the Executive Budget which means these funds will remain in senior center budgets beyond just one year.
• Elder abuse funds -  The preliminary budget, released in January 2016, included $3.5 million for elder abuse. It baselined $2 million of existing funds and added $1.5 million for multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs).

IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE WHAT A BIG WIN THIS IS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF HIGH TURNOVER RATES. THIS CREATES THE ABILITY TO HIRE LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS!

---

Update on May 11 Advocacy Day:

• Appointments with Councilmembers are increasing every day – Over 30 meetings with Councilmembers have been set. We expect to schedule the rest of the Councilmembers soon. Your borough coordinators will contact you when an appointment is set. 
• Over 40 Advocacy Day participants joined in 2 briefing calls -  THANKS EVERYONE! This is the most participants ever in these important calls which brief Advocacy Day participants on the logistics and talking points. 
• LiveOn NY’s Talking Points for budget priorities – These talking points can be used for Advocacy Day and any time you meet with your Councilmember(s) and their staff.  Click here for talking points and budget chart.
• Hold a budget forum in your senior center or NORC in May – May is Older Americans Month - Some senior centers have held a budget forum during the city budget process. You can invite your local Councilmember from 11:30-12:00 or another good time, to take questions from participants. Share the budget chart with seniors and ask them to choose 3-4 issues they’re interested in to discuss. They can prepare questions to ask the Councilmember. You can also invite in local press.  Take some photos and send them in to the press with a quote about the forum from a senior or two. For further information, contact Bobbie Sackman, bsackman@liveon-ny.org or 212-398-6565 x226 or Andrea Cianfrani, acianfrani@liveon-ny.org or x233. This would be a great event to do!

JOIN LiveOn NY’s FAIR SHARE BUDGET CAMPAIGN!

For further information, contact Bobbie Sackman, bsackman@liveon-ny.org or 212-398-6565 x226 or Andrea Cianfrani, acianfrani@liveon-ny.org or x233.

MEDIA: Advocates Ask More Support for Seniors and Caregivers

No File

By: Andrea Sears
Monday, March 28, 2016
Publication & Publisher: Public News Service - NY

NEW YORK - Low-income seniors need help to stay in their homes. That's the message their advocates want lawmakers to hear as they finalize the state budget. 

They may be the most neglected seniors in New York, says Bobbie Sackman, director of public policy for LiveOn New York. 

Community Services for the Elderly helps seniors remain in their own homes, but it has a long waiting list.

They have too much income to be on Medicaid but not enough to pay for the support services they need. Sackman says there are 10,000 older people across the state who are on waiting lists for a variety of services.

"For Meals on Wheels, for case management where a social worker comes into their home, for home care, for transportation, for adult day services, says Sackman. "And the list goes on."

LiveOn New York has joined with AARP and others in calling for an increase of at least $15 million in state funding for Community Services for the Elderly (CSE).

Those services help not only the seniors, but family caregivers as well. Richard McGee says his 95-year-old mother, who has been approved for a home-health aide, has been on a CSE waiting list for three months.

"It makes it more and more difficult for me, because she's more dependent on me every day," McGee says. "And so, I spend much of my time during the day over there, trying to help her with her daily needs."

In the past three years, the waiting lists for CSE services have increased by 3,000 seniors. 

The percentage of New Yorkers over age 65 continues to grow, while the ratio of potential family caregivers is going down. 

Sackman calls access to affordable eldercare a 21st-century workforce issue.

"Just as we've talked for decades about the need for affordable child care, we need to look across the lifespan," she says. "And the other side of that equation is, how do you help these men and women stay in the workforce and balance their lives?"

Sackman says the proposed $15 million increase in CSE funding has bipartisan support in the Legislature, but the Senate's proposed budget would increase it by only $3 million.

Andrea Sears, Public News Service - NY