Senator Myrie Hosts Senior Resource Fair in Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN -- Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-20) today held a Senior Resource Fair and lunch at the NYCHA Seth Low Senior Center in Brownsville. 

Over 100 seniors attended the event, where they were able to meet with over 20 community based organizations, city agencies, and groups providing a range of social services and guidance with issues facing seniors.

“Up in Albany, we spend a great deal of time discussing major policy reforms and challenges that face our whole state, but if we can’t help the people in our district with their day-to-day problems, then none of that matters,” said Senator Myrie. “Today was about serving our community directly with all sorts of issues -- whether it’s housing, home care, nutrition, social services, or health care -- and bringing all of those resources under one roof.”

As an affordable housing advocate and a champion of the tenant protections passed into state law this year, Senator Myrie invited several organizations to offer guidance and support for seniors who need help with housing. 

“Every day, seniors come to my office for help finding or holding onto affordable housing,” said Senator Myrie. “No senior should face housing insecurity, but we know that in Central Brooklyn, all too many do. Along with so many other issues, I’m heartened we were able to deliver services and guidance to seniors who struggle with housing insecurity in our community.” 

According to the New York City Comptroller’s office, seniors are more likely to pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing than the total population, regardless of whether they rent or own their homes. Six out of 10 seniors spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, compared to roughly half the general population of renters. 

Participating organizations included: 

• AARP
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• LiveOnNY
• Mobilization for Justice
• NHS Brooklyn
• Sunnyside Community Services
• Bridge Street Development Corporation
• Department For the Aging
• New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
• Hearing Loss Association of America 
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (subsidiary of CSSNY)
• Cooperative Homecare Associates
• St. Nicks Alliance Homecare 
• SUNY Downstate
• Alzheimer's Foundation
• U.S. Census Bureau 
• NYC Department of Finance
• Digital GIrl Inc.

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Please direct press inquiries to Senator Myrie’s Director of Communications, Jonathan Timm, at (313) 618-7005. jt.nysenate@gmail.com