Sponsored by New York AARP,  the Housing Forum will gather key housing and related stakeholder groups to focus on the particular housing needs of older adults – Current efforts in new construction, home access remodeling, affordable housing and community services; and opportunities for the future.

 

Background

The aging demographic of Westchester has produced a growing need for homes that are more accommodating as our abilities change over time. While we welcome societal changes that include longer life spans, we also know that as we age we acquire age-related impairments. Many older adults live in traditional homes, with features that prematurely limit their activities and that are unsafe as well. Our oldest residents increasingly live smaller and more dangerous lives, requiring the aid of family and local services to manage daily activities. 

 

Over 18% of Westchester’s population is age 65 or older. While the largest age cohort is close behind: fifty to fifty-nine year olds. We know that the population of older Westchester residents will remain high, and grow, over the next 40 years. 

 

The housing sector, private agencies, local and state  governments are all increasingly called on to help create, renovate, or modify homes that are more supportive for older adults. But the need is growing faster than stakeholders are able to respond. And many older adults lack the funds or do  not want to spend the funds needed for major renovations, so require low cost options. Those who are looking for alternative, affordable housing choices see few options in their communities that better suit their needs.

 

Westchester County Livable Communities (WCLC), working in collaboration with several local organizations, developed tools to improve the environment and lives of seniors living in Westchester Co. This forum will serve to expand WCLC’s focus in housing.

Forum Goals: 

• Understand the most urgent and common housing needs of older Westchester residents.

•  Review how housing options for older Westchester residents are being considered and prioritized in housing planning, policies, funding, and service delivery. 

• Explore policy and practice changes that will meet current and projected needs.

 

 

Topics

1. Westchester Aging Demographics

2. Biggest housing problems for older adults

   1. Homeless older adults/OAs at risk of homelessness

   2. Risk of evictions

   3. Home accessibility modifications

      • Access to free home access modification services

      • Access to qualified home access modification professionals

   4. Home maintenance - older, less wealthy adults living in the oldest homes

      • Home repair, handyman services 

   5. Can people move to new, affordable housing with all age friendly features?

   6. Options in New Housing - where might people move to, if possible?

      1. Access to qualified design and builder professionals

      2. Affordable housing options

         • Missing middle - Duplex, triplex, accessory dwellings, 

         • More affordable - Missing Middle options, Accessory Dwellings

         • Deeply affordable

         • Multifamily

         • Rental vs owned - rental apartments, condominium/coop units

 

 

1. Current status of housing/housing programs and resources for older Westchester residents

   1. Existing programs

   2. STAR

2. What are possible solutions?

   1. Tax abatements

   2. Mandates for UD/AF units, e.g., 30% in all projects

      • Does NYS law allow municipalities  to do this?

   3. Increase accessible units in all affordable projects

   4. Incentives to include UD/AF features in homes

      • How to make incentives meaningful ie., effective?

   5. New/alternate funding

      • Federal Home Loan Bank

      • Community Reinvestment Act 

      • Housing Trust Funds

   6. Home access modification services coordination

      • Common intake and assessment protocols

      • Coordination to simplify process, shorten wait times, save money

3. The path forward