NYC is projected to see a 40% increase in the older adult population by 2040, only 37 NORCs exist to serve current population of 1.5M older adults
New York City, NY (December 4, 2024)— The New York City Council is poised to pass the Expanding Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) Act (Intro 1022), a groundbreaking initiative designed to support the city’s growing older adult population at tomorrow’s Stated Meeting. With over 1.5 million New Yorkers aged 65 and older, this legislation addresses the critical need for community-based resources that allow seniors to age in place with dignity.
The Expanding NORCs Act, introduced by Council Member Gutiérrez and Chair of the Committee on Aging, Crystal Hudson, establishes a comprehensive three-year study to identify and support NORCs, aiming to expand the city’s current 37 recognized NORCs to at least 20 additional communities. By conducting detailed demographic and service accessibility assessments, the study will develop targeted support plans, address existing capital needs, and provide training for community organizations that assist older adults.
Currently, a NORC designation requires a nonprofit organization with independent funding to manage and support it. This system has left many neighborhoods without NORC services due to the lack of stable nonprofit infrastructure. The Expanding NORCs Act seeks to close this gap, ensuring that more communities can access the resources needed to support their aging populations.
“This act represents a critical step in ensuring our older New Yorkers can age with dignity and independence,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, who introduced the bill. “We’re not just creating a policy; we’re building a support system for our most vulnerable residents. I’m thankful for the leadership and partnership of Chair Hudson in advancing her comprehensive Aging in Place plan, and I’m honored that this bill is a key component of it.”
“While our city is projected to see a 40% increase in its older adult population over the coming decades, we have not yet scaled up the resources necessary to help aging New Yorkers age in place,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Committee on Aging. “Int. 1022 will ensure the city has a clear plan for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), which will also grow as our population ages. NORCs and Neighborhood NORCs provide essential on-site services to residents, meeting them where they are. This plan will allow us to identify emerging NORCs and assess their needs, supporting our broader goal of helping older adults age in place across all five boroughs.”
“We applaud Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez for her leadership on this bill and her dedication to our city’s older adults. New York’s older adult population is growing rapidly, and the overwhelming majority of older New Yorkers want to age in place in the communities they call home. This bill is a critical step toward making that a reality by identifying and investing in NORCs, which are already home to so many older adults. By assessing their needs and ensuring the right supports and infrastructure are in place, we can enable older adults to age with dignity, independence, and connection. Older New Yorkers helped build our city and make it great, and they deserve to age in place in the communities they love,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York.
“As a North Brooklyn community-based organization that provides essential services in the community to ensure that older adults can age in place, St. Nicks Alliance supports the passage of the NORCs bill, Int 1022 so that New York City can better understand the impact of NORC services and expand them to where they are most needed”, stated Amy Berg, Deputy Executive Director of Social Services, St. Nicks Alliance.
With a projected 40% increase in the older adult population by 2040, this legislation represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing New York City’s changing demographics and ensuring that aging residents have the resources they need to thrive.
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