Lawmakers and advocates call for additional state funding for aging services at AARP NY event

"Following the release of the state Senate and state Assembly’s one-house budgets, the New York state chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons hosted a virtual legislative forum in Albany presented by City & State on Tuesday. The panel conversation was held the The Well in the state Legislative Office Building and included calls for key funding to be included in the final budget agreement to address the state’s rapidly growing aging population. 

City & State reporter Austin Jefferson moderated the panel, which featured Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, state Sen. Cordell Cleare, AARP legislative representative Bill Ferris, Association on Aging Executive Director Rebecca Preve and LiveOn NY Executive Director Allison Nickerson.

"Housing is one of the biggest, it's one of the most critical factors, in the state right now,” Sen Cordell Cleare said. “And across the state, we need to pay attention to it because we just don't have enough of it. It is not affordable, even existing (housing). And, especially in New York City and in the five boroughs, we have to make sure that we're preparing for our older New Yorkers to live somewhere.”