Q&A
Addressing concerns of seniors refusing to sign Section 8 leases in RAD/PACT conversions
2:16:53
ยท
4 min
Council Member Chris Banks raises concerns about seniors refusing to sign Section 8 leases in RAD/PACT conversions and the impact on their participation in OAC programs. Representatives from NYCHA and the Department for the Aging discuss available support and the need for better awareness of this issue.
- Legal aid is available to support residents needing clarification on lease signing
- OAC staff can assist seniors by making proper referrals, including to legal services
- Concern raised about seniors avoiding OACs due to fear of losing their apartments
- Agreement on the need to pay attention to this issue and its impact on seniors' access to meals and programs
Chris Banks
2:16:53
Okay.
2:16:54
Just wanna circle back on to some of the RAD developments, particularly and I guess this may be on the service side, the social service side of the, CBO that's the sponsor of the the the senior center or the older adult center.
2:17:12
When a senior, refuses to sign a sec sign over to a section, section 8 lease.
2:17:22
And I know of situations where seniors, have refused to sign and, have been intimidated, to or forced over, to to have to sign this particular section section 8 lease.
2:17:41
What is being done to assist those seniors in a matter like that, where seniors are afraid to leave their apartment, or attend the senior center, the old the old adult center because of this fear that exists, and and they're being threatened, you know, that their their their tendency is in jeopardy.
2:18:06
What's being done to assist those seniors?
2:18:11
You're not may maybe you may not be aware of any scenarios like that.
Ukah Busgith
2:18:15
I'm aware of, scenarios where residents are refusing to sign the section.
Chris Banks
2:18:21
Particularly seniors as I'm talking about older adults.
Ukah Busgith
2:18:23
Senior.
2:18:24
Again, we have, legal aid that support the the residents if they needed to, clarification on why they should sign the leases.
Chris Banks
2:18:33
Oh, okay.
2:18:33
So okay.
2:18:34
That's so then on the social service side, when a senior or old adult comes to a senior center and you're made aware through the case notes that you're doing in the senior center, what is done, what steps are taking, and is there any communication with NYCHA?
UNKNOWN
2:18:56
Yeah.
2:18:56
So just generally speaking, anytime a a a client comes in and needs help with housing, right, we will, the staff will assist them either to put them in contact with the people No.
Chris Banks
2:19:05
I'm talking about particularly when it comes to a a Rad Pack converted development and when it comes to a senior, being confused or Right.
2:19:14
In fear of signing over to a section section 8 lease.
UNKNOWN
2:19:18
So we can we can also refer them to legal services.
2:19:21
That I don't think our staff is, qualified to advise on something like that.
2:19:25
However, they can help them through the process, make the proper referrals and, you know, kind of assist them with it, but I they wouldn't be knowledgeable enough, I think, to walk them through or to s you know?
Chris Banks
2:19:36
Is it escalated to NYCHA?
UNKNOWN
2:19:38
Oh, yes.
2:19:39
I think yes.
2:19:40
I mean, theoretically, they shouldn't escalate to NYCHA or to us.
2:19:43
It has not come to to my attention that that's been an issue that we're seeing at the centers.
2:19:47
I'm not saying it's not.
2:19:48
It just has not been raised to this level.
2:19:51
I do believe
Chris Banks
2:19:51
I have a couple of
UNKNOWN
2:19:52
I'm sure.
2:19:53
Yeah.
2:19:53
I'm not denying that it's happening.
2:19:54
It's just that it's not been an issue that's been raised to New York City aging as a concern that they need advice on.
2:20:01
So my assumption
Ukah Busgith
2:20:03
is that they are
Chris Banks
2:20:03
be a major concern if it's preventing them
Crystal Hudson
2:20:06
Absolutely.
Chris Banks
2:20:06
Because of that fear
UNKNOWN
2:20:07
Absolutely.
Chris Banks
2:20:08
Of losing their apartment.
2:20:10
They they they're not partaking in senior programming.
UNKNOWN
2:20:14
Absolutely.
2:20:15
We can only know when the clients come to, to the staff to the program to say something.
2:20:21
A lot of programs do outreach, of course, if somebody's a regular member and they're not coming anymore.
Chris Banks
2:20:26
Right.
UNKNOWN
2:20:27
I think a lot of it's not a requirement.
2:20:29
We don't tell them how to run their programs, but I think many will will do that.
2:20:32
They'll, you know, obviously, there's a concern if somebody stops coming.
2:20:35
And if that's shared, I I I believe it's being handled at the center level, but it is something we can, you know, address.
Chris Banks
2:20:41
Obviously, it needs to be paid attention to.
Gale A. Brewer
2:20:43
Yeah.
2:20:43
Absolutely.
Chris Banks
2:20:43
Especially when you have seniors who rely on the breakfast, the lunch Yes.
2:20:48
And the the the supper.
Ukah Busgith
2:20:49
We don't wanna need
Chris Banks
2:20:50
to come from the center from the center.
2:20:52
Right.
2:20:52
And then they're not being able to do that because of this fear, this frustration that their their their their Tennessee is in jeopardy.
2:21:00
They're afraid I I know the situation we're seeing is afraid to go to the door.
2:21:04
And she used to be an active member at a particular center, and she just stopped, because she refuses to sign a a section section 8 lease.
2:21:15
That's the
Ukah Busgith
2:21:17
Council member, I don't know if you wanna share that information, we could reach out
Chris Banks
2:21:19
to you.
2:21:20
We we will share that, senior, situation with you.