18 Organizations Join LeadingAge NY in Urging Governor Hochul to Fund Resident Assistance for Affordable Senior Housing in SFY27
(Jan. 12, 2026) On Jan. 9th, LeadingAge NY and 18 other organizations in the housing and aging services sectors wrote to Governor Hochul urging her to create and fund an Affordable Independent Senior Housing Assistance (or “Resident Assistance”) program in her State Fiscal Year 2027 (SFY27) Executive Budget proposal, due to be released next week.
As outlined in the letter and in a Dec. 29th letter sent by LeadingAge NY, the proposed program would help address the aging-related needs of low-income older adults living in affordable rental housing across the state by providing on-site and on-request assistance in these properties, including help accessing services, benefits, and preventative programming; obtaining transportation or using technology for telehealth and social engagement; and arranging for on-site social and wellness programs to combat isolation and strengthen healthy living habits.
Despite benefits proven by rigorous research and provider experience and recognition in the State’s Master Plan for Aging, many affordable senior housing properties do not have the funding to support Resident Assistance, leaving thousands of low-income older New Yorkers without access to this critical resource, which improves quality of life and reduces medical spending.
A strategic and modest investment of $10 million in State funds over five years – just $2 million in the SFY27 budget – would support Resident Assistance in at least 16 affordable senior housing buildings and serve 1,600 or more older adults annually, resulting in significant Medicaid savings to the State by keeping the residents served out of emergency rooms and more costly levels of care such as assisted living or nursing homes.
The Executive Budget proposal is expected to be released next week, setting the stage for negotiations of the final budget deal, due April 1st.
Read the Jan. 9th letter here, and use our click-to-send digital action letter to add your support for a targeted, evidence-based investment in Resident Assistance today.
Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866