TESTIMONY
Rachel Neches, Data Researcher at the Center for Urban Future, on the Challenges and Opportunities for Older Immigrants in New York City
2:25:19
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150 sec
Rachel Neches discusses the economic and social challenges faced by older immigrants in New York City, alongside policy recommendations.
- Immigrants constitute 52.2% of New York City's older adult population, highlighting a significant demographic shift.
- This population faces increased poverty, with 22% of immigrant seniors living in poverty compared to 14% of US-born seniors.
- Older immigrants often struggle with reduced retirement savings, Social Security benefits, and face language and cultural barriers.
- The Center for Urban Future proposes 63 policy ideas in a blueprint aimed at addressing these challenges.
- Neches warns of a budget cut to the Department for the Aging and advocates for increased funding, innovation, and partnership with organizations tailored to serve immigrant populations.
Rachel Neches
2:25:19
Good morning.
2:25:20
I'm Rachel Nutches, the data researcher at the Center for Urban Future, an independent think tank focused on creating a stronger and more inclusive economy in New York.
2:25:29
Thank you to chair Hudson and chair of Villas, members of both committees for the opportunity to testify.
2:25:35
A decade ago, the Center for an Urban Future, published the 1st comprehensive report to document the fast growing population of older immigrants across the Five boroughs.
2:25:44
We've since published several other reports about the challenges facing older immigrants and the opportunities to tap the many strengths.
2:25:52
Our latest research shows that immigrants are now the majority of the city's older adult population representing 52.2% of all seniors.
2:26:00
That's 726,000 people.
2:26:03
Older immigrants have propelled this growth making up 66% of the additional older New Yorkers in the last decade.
2:26:13
Our researcher cuff demonstrates that this population has also been getting poorer.
2:26:17
Citywide, there are a 160,000 immigrant older adults living in poverty.
2:26:22
Or 22% of all immigrant seniors.
2:26:26
In contrast, only 14% of US born seniors live in poverty.
2:26:31
In addition, older immigrants can often be worse off with lessened retirement savings, Social Security benefits, and facing language and cultural barriers that often poses challenges in receiving government supports.
2:26:44
In 2020, we published a blueprint, including 63 policy ideas, that would help the city plan for this change, and I recommend you check them out.
2:26:55
The department for the aging faces a budget cut of nearly $40,000,000 next year.
2:27:00
Full funding should also be coupled with renewed efforts to pursue innovation and services that reflect these diverse needs.
2:27:08
Providers should have flexibility to partner with organizations tailored to serve immigrant populations.
2:27:14
And key city agencies outside of DFTA also must do the same.
2:27:20
We also recommend launching a major new initiative to reduce poverty among older New Yorkers undertaking a city wide campaign to enroll them in benefits programs and increasing funding for older adult services to keep pace with the growth of this population as well as the rise in these unmet needs.
2:27:38
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
2:27:41
I shared with you a longer written testimony that has new 2022 data updated from the data that you were referencing today.