Res. No. 650
Resolution urging the New York State Legislature to increase funding for Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Support Service Programs (“NORC-SSPs”) to meet the growing needs of seniors who wish to remain in their own homes as they age.
By Council Members Báez, Avella, Barron, Boyland, Clarke, Dilan, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gerson, Jackson, James, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Quinn, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Vann, Weprin, Yassky and Gonzalez
Whereas, According to a 1989 AARP study, 27% of seniors in the United States live in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (“NORCs”); and
Whereas, NORC Support Service Programs (“NORC-SSPs”) provide seniors with the services and infrastructure to allow seniors to age and remain in their own homes, even as their need for assistance increases; and
Whereas, NORC-SSPs promote independence, dignity and healthy aging by engaging seniors before a crisis occurs and proactively responding to each senior’s changing needs; and
Whereas, Recognizing the vital role NORC-SSPs provide to the overall well-being of seniors and their communities, New York State, in 1995, took the bold step of establishing the first public-private NORC-SSP initiative, and began allocating $1.2 million annually toward creating and maintaining 14 NORC-SSPs, 12 of which are in New York City; and
Whereas, In 1999, New York City joined the State’s efforts to support NORC-SSPs by beginning an annual $4 million allocation toward the NORC-SSP initiative in order to strengthen the existing 12 NORC-SSPs in New York City and establish an additional 16 programs; and
Whereas, According to a 2004 special report from the United Hospital Fund, there are presently over 46,000 New York City seniors living in a NORC, for which there is a support service program; and
Whereas, There are presently many additional NORCs that do not have adequate Support Service Programs due, in part, to lack of public funding; and
Whereas, Public funding has been critical to the successful initiation and maintenance of NORC-SSPs, and has often served as a catalyst for financial participation by housing sponsors, provider agencies, local philanthropists and the communities themselves; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State legislature to increase funding for NORC-SSPs to meet the growing needs of seniors who wish to remain in their own homes as they age.
(AT)
LS # 1861
October 20, 2004