PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Adam Roberts, Representative of New York Apartment Association, on Intro 1022 and Aging in Place
2:09:29
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144 sec
Adam Roberts, representing the New York Apartment Association (Naya), testified on Intro 1022 and the challenges of aging in place in rent-stabilized housing. He highlighted the concentration of older adults in rent-stabilized units and the need for immediate action to address aging infrastructure in these buildings.
- 31% of rent-stabilized households have older adults, higher than in free market units
- Many rent-stabilized buildings are over 100 years old and lack features necessary for aging in place
- Roberts argued against additional studies, calling for immediate action to fund and renovate senior housing in rent-stabilized units
Adam Roberts
2:09:29
Thank you for holding this year.
2:09:30
Morning today.
2:09:31
I am Adam Roberts testifying on behalf of the New York Apartment Association, also known as Naya.
2:09:37
Naya is a newly formed trade group representing multifamily housing providers across New York City.
2:09:43
Our members provide more than 1,000,000 units of rental housing, most of which is subject to rent stabilization and built before 1974, meaning they do not receive 421a or other subsidies.
2:09:55
We are here to testify and intro 1022.
2:09:58
New York's aging population is concentrated in its rent stabilized housing.
2:10:03
According to the 2023 housing and vacancy survey also known as the HVS, 31% of rent stabilized households had older adults higher than the share in free market units.
2:10:14
Meanwhile, in many rent stabilized households, tenants live alone and are disabled at 41% 25%, respectively.
2:10:22
Unfortunately, the HVS does not show which cross section of the population is older, alone, and disabled.
2:10:29
However, it's safe to say it's a significant amount.
2:10:31
Life likely falls into all three categories.
2:10:34
Since 2017, the city has had the aging in place guide for building owners on how to design existing buildings, particularly affordable housing, for this segment of the population.
2:10:45
These guidelines were written by the Department of Aging and are the first resource listed for multifamily building owners on HPD's website.
2:10:54
Since the city already has data and design guidelines regarding senior housing, Additional studies are unnecessary.
2:11:01
Rather, they delay the need to take action.
2:11:03
Seniors in rent stabilized housing live in buildings that are increasingly defunded.
2:11:08
The rent guidelines board founded its 2024 income and expense study that by the end of 2022, over 10% of older rent stabilized buildings were distressed, meaning that their expenses were higher than revenue.
2:11:21
These buildings are also aging and require repairs.
2:11:24
Looking at our own membership, The median building was built in 1922 over 100 years ago.
2:11:30
These buildings were not designed with elevators, wide hallways, ramps, and other features necessary for aging in place.
2:11:37
The longer the council waits to take action, the longer aging tenants will be stuck climb the stairs or struggling to fit walkers through tight hallways.
2:11:44
We look forward to working with the council to fund and renovate our senior housing, particularly the 300,000 rent stabilized households with elderly residents.
2:11:52
Thank you.
