LeadingAge NY Urges Governor to Create and Fund Senior Housing Resident Assistance Program in SFY 2027 Executive Budget
(Jan. 6, 2026) On Dec. 29, 2025, LeadingAge NY submitted a letter to Governor Hochul and key Executive staff urging the creation of an Affordable Senior Housing Assistance (or “Resident Assistance”) program in the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 Executive Budget.
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.
This approach aligns with the State’s Master Plan for Aging – released in 2025 – which emphasizes the importance of community housing models, including a Resident Assistance program, that help older adults age safely at home while controlling health care and long-term care costs, the letter notes. But unfortunately, despite stakeholder support and benefits proven by rigorous research and provider experience, many affordable senior housing properties do not have the budget flexibility they need to support Resident Assistance, leaving thousands of low-income older New Yorkers without access to this critical resource.
A strategic and modest investment of $10 million in State funds over five years – just $2 million in the SFY 2027 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 Governor is expected to present her State of the State Address, previewing her goals for this year’s State budget and policymaking, on Tues., Jan. 13th, with the Executive Budget proposal – which will set the stage for negotiations of the final budget deal – due to be released on Tues., Jan. 20th.
Read LeadingAge NY’s full letter here, and use our new 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