The New York Times reported on the challenges New York City’s older adults face to age in place in their homes and communities. Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s YP Senior Residence in the Bronx was mentioned in the article as a solution to helping older adults successfully age in place.
Older adults occupy more than half of the city’s rent-stabilized units and are struggling to keep them, reports Claire Wolters. Rent-stabilized units have a higher percentage of maintenance issues than unregulated apartments and are more likely to be in prewar buildings with inaccessible features like narrow hallways and steep stairs. Many older adults who live in rent-stabilized apartments are rent-burdened and have limited options — either they continue living in apartments in poor conditions or they leave, and usually not by choice.
Without support, these factors can push older adults out of the city’s housing market. In New York City, homeless adults over 65 have almost tripled over the last decade.
Hannah Adjei, a resident at VOA-GNY’s YP Senior Residence, spoke about the building’s accessibility features which has helped her stay in the city. VOA-GNY’s Director of Public Policy, Eric Lee, talked about the thousands of applications VOA-GNY received for 84 available units at our newest senior housing program.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Lee told The New York Times. “But it speaks volumes to just how desperate aging New Yorkers are to be able to find an affordable place.”
Read the full article at The New York Times.