Budget details provided by the White House on May 7 offer a mixed bag when it comes to the elderly. B’nai B’rith International (BBI) is encouraged by the budget as a whole, but is concerned about proposed changes in housing, aging services, and healthcare.
“As the largest Jewish sponsor of subsidized housing, we are pleased there are no plans to cut housing money for low-income elderly,” said B’nai B’rith Associate Executive Vice President Mark Olshan. “But merely standing still at current levels means many seniors will not get the help they need in the future.” Under the current plan, there are about nine people on the waiting list for each low-income housing unit. As the population ages, that waiting list will continue to grow unless funding is increased.
B’nai B’rith has long been a leader and advocate for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 program, which finances housing for low-income older adults. Under the president’s budget, the program would remain steady in the 2010 fiscal year. The administration’s budget on aging programs would also remain at the same level of funding from this fiscal year to the next.
B’nai B’rith is pleased the budget includes a $90 million allocation for the service coordinators who work in many subsidized buildings to help older residents get a range of services from transportation and medical needs, to meals and home health aids. The full funding for project-based Section 8, which helps many older people, is also a good step for the elderly. In addition, the government has set aside funds to ensure housing providers get paid on time – something that has been an ongoing problem.
While B’nai B’rith recognizes the difficult fiscal times, there is also hope that leaders in the White House and Congress recognize the increasing need for housing and services specific to older populations. The difficult economy has combined with existing demographic trends to put enormous strains on the aging services network. “In the future, we need to significantly increase support for these programs simply to keep pace with the growing needs of older people in our communities,” Olshan said. “We also recognize that this more detailed budget still leaves the architecture of healthcare reform to the House and Senate, and we are committed to working for the interest of older people and their families as we help shape the fiscal blueprint.”
News and 