File #: Int 0126-2018    Version: * Name: Create a senior housing task force.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Aging
On agenda: 1/31/2018
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to create a senior housing task force
Sponsors: Brad S. Lander, Margaret S. Chin, Justin L. Brannan, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Summary: The bill would establish senior housing task force to develop and recommend changes to laws, rules, regulations, and policies in order to increase the availability and affordability of safe, appropriate housing for older New Yorkers both present and future.
Indexes: Council Appointment Required, Other Appointment Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 126, 2. Int. No. 126, 3. January 31, 2018 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 01-31-2018, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - January 31, 2018

Int. No. 126

 

By Council Members Lander, Chin, Brannan and Cornegy

 

A Local Law to create a senior housing task force

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. a. There is hereby established a senior housing task force that shall develop and recommend changes to the laws, rules, regulations, and policies related to the building code, housing development, housing maintenance, taxation, and zoning in order to increase the availability and affordability of safe, appropriate housing for older New Yorkers both present and future.

b. The senior housing task force shall perform the following actions and propose changes to the laws, rules, regulations, and policies where appropriate:

(i) identify and evaluate the public and private financing sources available for the construction or rehabilitation of housing for older New Yorkers;

(ii) identify and evaluate options for converting, rehabilitating, or altering existing structures to better accommodate older New Yorkers;

(iii) identify and evaluate the public and private financing sources available to promote independent living, shared or communal housing, supportive housing, or assisted living among older New Yorkers;

(iv) identify and evaluate the policies related to encouraging healthy aging behaviors or aging in place;

(v) identify and evaluate the public and private financing sources available for the maintenance and repair of housing for older New Yorkers;

(vi) identify and evaluate the policies related to older New Yorkers’ access to home improvement contractors and other means of maintenance and repair, including but not limited to weatherization programs;

(vii) identify and evaluate current tax exemptions, tax abatements, and other financial programs that would affect the rent, maintenance costs, or other housing costs for older New Yorkers;

(viii) identify and evaluate the legal assistance, social services, crisis intervention, and financial assistance options available for older New Yorkers facing eviction or at risk of eviction;

(ix) identify and evaluate the current parking requirements for affordable housing and determine whether such requirements create a bar to the construction of affordable housing for older New Yorkers;

(x) identify, evaluate, and encourage the coordination of and partnerships among housing unit managers, housing managers, residents, and providers of health and social services in naturally occurring retirement communities and other communities with significant populations of older New Yorkers;

(xi) identify and evaluate efforts in other jurisdictions to address the issues described in paragraphs (i) through (x) above in order to identify best practices; and

(xii) consult with senior housing advocacy groups.

c. The senior housing task force shall have nineteen members which shall be:

(i) the commissioner of buildings or their representative;

(ii) the commissioner of housing preservation and development or their representative;

(iii) the director of city planning or their representative;

(iv) the commissioner of aging or their representative;

(v) the commissioner of design and construction or their representative;

(vi) the commissioner of finance or their representative;

(vii) the chairperson of the New York city housing authority or their representative;

(viii) the commissioner of health and mental hygiene or their representative;

(ix) the commissioner of the mayor’s office for people with disabilities or their representative;

(x) nine members appointed by the speaker of the council no later than thirty days after the effective date of this chapter; and

(xi) one additional member appointed by the mayor to serve as chairperson of the senior housing task force no later than 30 days after the effective date of this chapter.

d. The senior housing task force shall have a duration of three years and 30 days.

e. The senior housing task force shall meet at least quarterly and every six months shall issue a report to the mayor and the council detailing its activities and recommendations.

§ 2.  This local law takes effect immediately.  

 

EAA/KET 12/15/17

LS 323/Int 337-2014

LS 373