Q&A
Plans for expanding older adult centers within NYCHA facilities
0:48:07
ยท
3 min
Council Member Hudson inquires about plans for expanding the number of older adult centers within NYCHA facilities. The discussion highlights the need for proactive planning to address the growing older adult population.
- NYC Aging is currently analyzing population data to inform expansion plans
- No specific plans to expand in NYCHA facilities are confirmed at this time
- Commitment to respond to growing older adult population needs
- Hudson emphasizes the importance of proactive planning rather than reactive measures
- Acknowledgment that the city is currently underprepared for the aging population boom
Crystal Hudson
0:48:07
Thank you so much.
0:48:08
You know, for these hearings, we appreciate the long winded answers, so no worries there.
0:48:13
As the older adult population in New York City grows exponentially, are there any plans for expanding the number of older adult centers within NYCHA facilities?
0:48:21
If yes, where?
0:48:22
If not, why not?
Ryan Murray
0:48:23
Not there yet.
Ukah Busgith
0:48:25
Okay.
Ryan Murray
0:48:25
And so this is the short answer now.
0:48:30
When we get to the point where we're talking about a request for a proposal, we're actively looking at those data that population data now.
0:48:38
So, you know, numbers that I saw about hot zones and cold zones in the city where people, but the numbers might be different.
0:48:44
Right?
0:48:45
I I would wanna have the opportunity to come back to you around what that plan would look like, but I can affirmatively say right now that we absolutely have a plan to expand in NYCHA.
0:48:57
What I wanna confirm is that, 1, the facilities are there.
0:49:00
The interest is there because it may also be near to NYCHA.
0:49:04
Right?
0:49:04
It might be down the block, at a privately run facility or a a building that is owned.
0:49:11
Our commitment, however, is that services are where older adults need services, that folks can go from program to program easily, and that's why we invest in transportation and other things.
0:49:21
That is our commitment.
0:49:22
But in terms of absolutely saying we will expand to increase the number in NYCHA, we're not prepared to say that today, but we will go through a planning process.
Crystal Hudson
0:49:30
Is it fair for you to say we absolutely will expand facilities across the city?
Ryan Murray
0:49:36
If the older adult population continues to grow as we
Crystal Hudson
0:49:39
all I mean, it's
Ryan Murray
0:49:40
it's it's growing.
0:49:41
We anticipate it to be and it is growing as you said, we have to respond to those needs.
Crystal Hudson
0:49:47
Okay.
0:49:48
Now I guess, yeah, go ahead.
Ryan Murray
0:49:49
I think you have it yet.
0:49:50
Is there go ahead.
Ukah Busgith
0:49:51
Go for it.
Ryan Murray
0:49:56
We will our plan is to fight for the resources to expand services where they're needed.
0:50:02
That is our plan.
Crystal Hudson
0:50:03
Okay.
0:50:04
So I just hope that and encourage you all to think about the plan being more proactive than reactive because what so hap what so often happens, particularly with government, is that bureaucracy gets in the way and the population already increases.
0:50:21
It's already boomed.
0:50:22
It's already here.
0:50:23
And then we say, oh gosh.
0:50:25
We have to catch up.
0:50:26
Let's put in, you know, some OACs, and it's kind of already too late.
0:50:30
So I just wanna make sure and and, you know, I'm just gonna continue beating the dead horse that I've all I always beat at all of these hearings because it is almost unconscionable to me that as a city, and this is not just you all, but broadly, as a city, we are not really planning for the the population boom that we all know is already happening.
0:50:51
And so what I don't wanna happen is that we are we are not prepared.
0:50:55
We're already not prepared.
0:50:57
We're under prepared.
0:50:58
But I'm hoping that through these hearings and other conversations and through the advocacy of so many of our partners, that the city will be, you know, better prepared to address the needs of the the older adult population.
Ryan Murray
0:51:10
Agree with you.
0:51:11
We're not this the world, the country, the city, we're not prepared and we need to be, and the data says that we should be.
0:51:20
You helped to open a conference recently, last December that was called BOOM, which was acknowledging that the last of the baby boomers turned 60.
0:51:29
And everybody forgets about the forgotten generation, the generation x folks, and then millennials and others.
0:51:35
Right?
0:51:35
Like, we are all aging and rapidly and committed to the city, so we've got a plan as such.
0:51:40
I agree with you.
Crystal Hudson
0:51:41
Thank you.