AARP New York Statement on Adoption of New York City FY 2027 Budget

NEW YORK, NY — AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel released the following statement today in response to the New York City Council's adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

"New York City's affordability crisis continues to hit older adults especially hard. As the city's older population grows and older adult poverty continues to rise, investments in aging services have never been more important.

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"We are grateful that this budget includes a $12 million investment in home-delivered meals—a meaningful step toward helping more older New Yorkers remain healthy and independent. But it falls short of the $30 million needed to provide meals seven days a week. Older adults need to eat seven days a week—not just five, and no one should have to choose which days they eat and which days they go hungry. In a nearly $126 billion budget, failing to close the remaining $18 million gap is a missed opportunity to ensure every older adult has the nutrition they need to age with dignity.

"This budget also makes important investments in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), repairs and improvements to Older Adult Centers, social adult day care, geriatric mental health services, and other community-based programs that help older adults remain healthy, connected, and independent. These commitments reflect months of advocacy by older New Yorkers, service providers, and community organizations who made clear that aging services are not optional—they are essential.

"However, many of these programs still rely on one-year discretionary funding rather than permanent baseline support. Older New Yorkers should not have to come to City Hall, hat in hand, every year just to preserve the basic services they depend on. As our aging population grows, these programs deserve stable, recurring funding that gives providers certainty and older adults peace of mind."

"Budgets reflect priorities. This year's budget demonstrates that when older New Yorkers raise their voices, City Hall listens. We thank Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Speaker Julie Menin, Finance Chair Linda Lee, Aging Chair Susan Zhuang, members of the City Council, and our advocacy partners for helping secure meaningful progress on the issues that matter most to older New Yorkers, and look forward to working with them to build on this progress to ensure that every older New Yorker has the support they need to thrive.”