Center for Senior Services
Please check these links for the latest up-to-date information regarding COVID-19:
CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan
for Opening America Up Again May 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for Federally-Assisted Housing:
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities (Interim Guidance)
Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Q&A Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders
Guidance on COVID-19 from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL):
COVID-19 Guidance for Older Adults
CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan
for Opening America Up Again May 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for Federally-Assisted Housing:
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities (Interim Guidance)
Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Q&A Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders
Guidance on COVID-19 from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL):
COVID-19 Guidance for Older Adults
Our Mission Statement
The mission of B'nai B'rith Senior Housing is to provide seniors with quality, affordable housing in a secure, supportive community environment, without regard to religion, race or national origin in order to maximize their independent and dignified lifestyle.
Resident Resources
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https://faq.whatsapp.com/ |
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For more help, check out Zoom's free live-training video webinars:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360029527911 |
Latest CSS News
B'nai B'rith Supports Emergency Housing Assistance Bill for Seniors
(Washington, D.C., July 2, 2020)--B’nai B’rith welcomes the introduction of a new Senate bill that would provide financial resources for senior housing in response to COVID-19.
The Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020, introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will provide much needed resources to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assisted senior housing.
“B’nai B’rith International, as the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States, is uniquely aware of the need to allocate additional financial resources for HUD senior housing in response to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Mark Olshan, associate executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International and director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Senior Services. “Consequently, we are pleased to support the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 introduced by Senator Robert Menendez. This legislation provides critical funding for senior properties to better meet challenges associated with the virus, including the ability to purchase more personal protective equipment, expand service coordination and WiFi accessibility. During a time of national crisis, we are thankful that Senator Menendez is leading the effort in the Senate to ensure that senior housing has the resources to combat the pandemic.”
“Given how vulnerable seniors are to the coronavirus, we call on Congress to quickly pass this legislation." said B’nai B’rith Legislative Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen. “The legislation provides critical financial resources for the residents of HUD assisted senior housing that will ensure a safer environment for older Americans.”
Menendez represents three B’nai B’rith-sponsored senior housing facilities: South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House, B’nai B’rith Chesilhurt House and B’nai B’rith Elmwood House.
“As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on our communities and families, it has had a relentless, devastating impact on our nation’s seniors, especially elderly Americans living in facilities that struggled with lack of protection, staff and resources,” Menendez said. “Congress has an obligation to help our most vulnerable during this crisis and that means making sure our federally-assisted senior housing facilities have the necessary resources to effectively protect and ensure residents remain safe, healthy and have access to key services during the COVID-19 crisis.”
B’nai B’rith would also like to acknowledge Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Dianne Feinstein (D-C.A.), Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore). In addition, we would also like to thank Rep. Katie Porter (D-C.A.) and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-C.A.) for introducing the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 in the House last month.
These bills allocate $1.2 billion to senior housing, which will enable buildings to hire more staff, purchase more personal protective equipment (PPE) and deal with decreased revenue due to decreased rent payments caused by the pandemic-related lockdowns and economic crisis. In addition, this money helps advance service coordination, both for buildings that already have and those that do not yet have a service coordinator. A service coordinator is a social service staff person who connects residents with services in the community. This legislation provides $50 million in funding for increasing WiFi accessibility, a crucial service in an age of telehealth medicine. Better WiFi also would enable service coordinators to speak with building residents while practicing social distancing.
While the money in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is already helping low-income seniors, the long-term and on-going virus threat requires further stimulus legislation. Therefore, we encourage Congress to pass the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 to ensure that senior housing has the appropriate resources to meet the challenges of the day.
The Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020, introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will provide much needed resources to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assisted senior housing.
“B’nai B’rith International, as the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States, is uniquely aware of the need to allocate additional financial resources for HUD senior housing in response to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Mark Olshan, associate executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International and director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Senior Services. “Consequently, we are pleased to support the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 introduced by Senator Robert Menendez. This legislation provides critical funding for senior properties to better meet challenges associated with the virus, including the ability to purchase more personal protective equipment, expand service coordination and WiFi accessibility. During a time of national crisis, we are thankful that Senator Menendez is leading the effort in the Senate to ensure that senior housing has the resources to combat the pandemic.”
“Given how vulnerable seniors are to the coronavirus, we call on Congress to quickly pass this legislation." said B’nai B’rith Legislative Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen. “The legislation provides critical financial resources for the residents of HUD assisted senior housing that will ensure a safer environment for older Americans.”
Menendez represents three B’nai B’rith-sponsored senior housing facilities: South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House, B’nai B’rith Chesilhurt House and B’nai B’rith Elmwood House.
“As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on our communities and families, it has had a relentless, devastating impact on our nation’s seniors, especially elderly Americans living in facilities that struggled with lack of protection, staff and resources,” Menendez said. “Congress has an obligation to help our most vulnerable during this crisis and that means making sure our federally-assisted senior housing facilities have the necessary resources to effectively protect and ensure residents remain safe, healthy and have access to key services during the COVID-19 crisis.”
B’nai B’rith would also like to acknowledge Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Dianne Feinstein (D-C.A.), Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore). In addition, we would also like to thank Rep. Katie Porter (D-C.A.) and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-C.A.) for introducing the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 in the House last month.
These bills allocate $1.2 billion to senior housing, which will enable buildings to hire more staff, purchase more personal protective equipment (PPE) and deal with decreased revenue due to decreased rent payments caused by the pandemic-related lockdowns and economic crisis. In addition, this money helps advance service coordination, both for buildings that already have and those that do not yet have a service coordinator. A service coordinator is a social service staff person who connects residents with services in the community. This legislation provides $50 million in funding for increasing WiFi accessibility, a crucial service in an age of telehealth medicine. Better WiFi also would enable service coordinators to speak with building residents while practicing social distancing.
While the money in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is already helping low-income seniors, the long-term and on-going virus threat requires further stimulus legislation. Therefore, we encourage Congress to pass the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act of 2020 to ensure that senior housing has the appropriate resources to meet the challenges of the day.
More CSS NewsB’nai B’rith Urges Further Action for Seniors Amid COVID-19 Pandemic4/7/20
We commended the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is providing assistance for low-income senior housing. With the COVID-19 virus still bearing down on the country, B’nai B’rith is calling on Congress to pass another bipartisan stimulus package that provides funding for Section 202 affordable housing for seniors. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States, B’nai B’rith is uniquely aware of the need to appropriate additional financial resources for senior housing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The additional money would potentially allow senior buildings to expand service coordination (which is especially important for buildings that lack a service coordinator: a social services staff person) and offer WiFi to all residents, which could make telemedicine more readily accessible. Funding could also provide the necessary resources for buildings to absorb additional expenses associated with extra staffing, cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, security personnel and decreases in rents. The funding could enable our country to construct more Section 202 properties. As always, B’nai B’rith will continue to advocate to members of Congress on issues important to seniors. Lastly, we appreciate the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) decision to provide direct stimulus payments to all Social Security recipients regardless of whether they filed a tax return. We now call on the IRS to extend this guidance to Supplemental Security Income recipients (SSI). Forcing SSI recipients, to file a tax return is an unnecessary burden during a time of crisis. Given restrictions regarding travel and socialization, the IRS guidance places hardships on the very set of people who need the financial assistance the most. We should be looking to get financial assistance to SSI recipients as quickly as possible and not force them to jump needlessly through hoops. B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services Supports Seniors During COVID-19 Outbreak3/24/20
As the COVID-19 outbreak shows no signs of letting up, staff members of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services (CSS) are working tirelessly to support seniors at the local and national levels. In addition to providing assistance to the on-site staff and residents of our network of senior living facilities across the country, CSS is working with members of Congress to ensure that seniors are cared for during this uncertain time. B’nai B’rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States. Members of the CSS staff are in constant contact with our housing network through frequent emails and weekly conference calls. To ensure that residents and building staff were knowledgeable of safety precautions, CSS facilitated a COVID-19 best practices session for the entire network and keeps the network abreast of the latest updates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via email. We have reached out to congressional offices to advocate for more funding for the Section 202 program, which supports affordable housing for seniors, and for service coordinators, a critical part of that program. While it is impossible to predict the future, it is likely that administrative costs will go up for many Section 202 buildings. Adhering to public health guidelines and providing needed support for seniors can be expensive, especially if residents of a building enter quarantine. We hope and expect that Congress will realize the necessity of extra funds for the Section 202 program. |
CSS MediaSenior Housing on the Front LinesHost CEO Dan Mariaschin talks to Jeff Cottingham, the property manager for a company which oversees the Sam J. Stone B’nai B’rith Apartments in Peoria, Illinois. They talk about the challenges that the coronavirus has exacerbated in senior housing facilities, and how frontline staff members are coping as they assist the residents in these subsidized independent living facilities.
Coronavirus and SeniorsHost CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with Associate Director for B’nai B’rith’s Center for Senior Services Janel Doughten about how our experts in seniors issues are guiding our housing community through the crisis.
Guiding Our Senior Housing Community Through CoronavirusHost Dan Mariaschin speaks with B'nai B'rith’s Center for Senior Services team to discuss how they are guiding our senior housing communities through the coronavirus crisis, emergency and disaster training for B’nai B’rith housing staff, and its efforts on Capitol Hill advocating for key stakeholders.
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PREVIOUS CSS WEBINARS
Fair Housing and Diversity AwarenessThe B'nai B'rith International Center for Senior Services (CSS) staff explores best practices in diversity awareness for subsidized senior housing.
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Learn About CSS & Section 202 HousingB’nai B’rith’s relationship with Section 202 housing started in 1971 when we formed a partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to sponsor affordable housing for low-income seniors. The B’nai B’rith Senior Housing Network in the United States comprises 38 buildings and serves about 5,000 people. Watch to learn more about the history of Section 202 affordable housing, B’nai B’rith’s role with the program and helpful information regarding the Board of Directors, staff members and residents of the buildings.
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Watch B'nai B'rith Housing Residents Speak About Their Experiences
CSS Staff on the B'nai B'rith International Podcast
Senior AdvocacyA Record of Leadership
Few contemporary issues are more critical than the aging of the population. Recognizing that senior citizens remain valued members of our community, B'nai B'rith has a leading role in senior services. B'nai B'rith International is a leader in the Jewish community’s approach to aging issues through the B'nai B'rith Center for Senior Services. With our first housing partnership with HUD launched in 1971, and with 38 buildings in 28 communities, we are the largest national Jewish sponsor of subsidized housing in the United States. Working with our members and supporters throughout the United States, our Senior Advocacy Initiative advances B'nai B'rith's agenda on a range of seniors' issues—including Social Security, Medicare, stem cell research, and funding for the aging services network and minimum wage—to policy makers in Washington, D.C., and across the country. We work directly with seniors through forums and programs on issues such as aging in place, healthcare for all, identity theft, and others. We also send out "Action Alerts" to let people know what is going on with legislation and how they can contact elected leaders quickly and easily. |
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Important Upcoming CSS Events
2020 Annual Managers/Service Coordinators Virtual Training – July 21-23
2020 Annual Conference on Senior Housing – October 17-20, 2020
2020 Annual Conference on Senior Housing – October 17-20, 2020
Our Issues. Our Perspectives.
B'nai B'rith works in Washington, D.C., to inform elected officials how seniors feel regarding various legislation, including these key issues:
Housing – For more than 40 years, B'nai B'rith has led in providing housing for low-income older adults. We are the largest national Jewish sponsor of subsidized housing for the elderly, and we continue to look for new ways to build new housing and preserve existing units.
Health Care and Medicare – Healthy aging cannot begin at 65 – it requires lifelong access to affordable health care without which older adults are more likely to have multiple chronic (and expensive) health problems. B’nai B’rith actively supports responsible efforts to expand access. B’nai B’rith supports the Medicare program that currently covers those who are 65+ as well as millions of disabled adults. We support changes that are good for beneficiaries and for the program’s sustainability.
Housing – For more than 40 years, B'nai B'rith has led in providing housing for low-income older adults. We are the largest national Jewish sponsor of subsidized housing for the elderly, and we continue to look for new ways to build new housing and preserve existing units.
Health Care and Medicare – Healthy aging cannot begin at 65 – it requires lifelong access to affordable health care without which older adults are more likely to have multiple chronic (and expensive) health problems. B’nai B’rith actively supports responsible efforts to expand access. B’nai B’rith supports the Medicare program that currently covers those who are 65+ as well as millions of disabled adults. We support changes that are good for beneficiaries and for the program’s sustainability.
Social Security – B'nai B'rith International supports maintaining and strengthening the Social Security system as a social insurance program and we believe it is important to help older Americans safeguard their retirement savings.
B’nai B’rith has long believed that both Social Security and Medicare must be carefully examined in order to strengthen them as the social safety nets they have been for more than 70 years. As a leading provider of housing for seniors with nearly 38 properties in more than 28 communities around the world, B’nai B’rith has developed an expertise in senior services.
B’nai B’rith has long believed that both Social Security and Medicare must be carefully examined in order to strengthen them as the social safety nets they have been for more than 70 years. As a leading provider of housing for seniors with nearly 38 properties in more than 28 communities around the world, B’nai B’rith has developed an expertise in senior services.
B'nai B'rith International Conference on Senior Housing in Fort Worth, Texas
Sep. 21-24, 2019
Versatile and Thought-Provoking Training for Management and Board Members: 2019 Conference on Senior Housing Recap
By Gracie Cohen
The B’nai B’rith International Conference on Senior Housing took place from Sept. 21 to Sept.24 in Fort Worth, Texas. This conference brought together on-site building managers and staff, board presidents, members of boards of directors and management agents of the Center for Senior Services network of senior housing.
In addition to the meeting, participants received an invitation to attend the Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith 2019 Jewish Person of the Year Dinner. Charles O Kaufman, president of B’nai B’rith International, gave the keynote address.
Participants were engaged in all of the sessions spanning the four-day training. One of the sessions, “Role of Boards and Management in Problem Solving,” sparked dialogue between management and board members while problem-solving difficult case studies. What is one to do when a resident addresses building concerns to a board member in his or her place of worship? Or when a staff member offers to drive a resident to an appointment? Case studies led to participants engaging with one other and seeking appropriate solutions to these real-life issues many face in their day-to-day lives.
Featured presenters included Jessie Villarreal, branch chief, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fort Worth Multifamily Asset Management Division, who provided a HUD update; Nancy McIlhaney, director of compliance for Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation based in Austin, Texas, who shed light on HUD 101 for the Board of Directors; and Jaime Cobb, vice president of dementia and caregiver education at the James L. West Center for Dementia Care in Fort Worth, Texas, who spoke on how to understand signs of dementia and how to best support and communicate with residents living with dementia.
The conference was hosted by the board of directors and staff of the Mollie and Max Barnett Apartments/Tarrant County B’nai B’rith Apartments in Fort Worth, Texas. Participants were given a great tour of the residences, followed by a visit to Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards district. There, the board of directors hosted conference participants at Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. We even had a special guest appearance by a local high school’s mariachi band.
A big thank you to the board and staff of the Mollie and Max Barnett Apartments/Tarrant County B’nai B’rith Apartments for all their hard work helping to put together a fantastic meeting!
By Gracie Cohen
The B’nai B’rith International Conference on Senior Housing took place from Sept. 21 to Sept.24 in Fort Worth, Texas. This conference brought together on-site building managers and staff, board presidents, members of boards of directors and management agents of the Center for Senior Services network of senior housing.
In addition to the meeting, participants received an invitation to attend the Isadore Garsek Lodge of B’nai B’rith 2019 Jewish Person of the Year Dinner. Charles O Kaufman, president of B’nai B’rith International, gave the keynote address.
Participants were engaged in all of the sessions spanning the four-day training. One of the sessions, “Role of Boards and Management in Problem Solving,” sparked dialogue between management and board members while problem-solving difficult case studies. What is one to do when a resident addresses building concerns to a board member in his or her place of worship? Or when a staff member offers to drive a resident to an appointment? Case studies led to participants engaging with one other and seeking appropriate solutions to these real-life issues many face in their day-to-day lives.
Featured presenters included Jessie Villarreal, branch chief, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fort Worth Multifamily Asset Management Division, who provided a HUD update; Nancy McIlhaney, director of compliance for Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation based in Austin, Texas, who shed light on HUD 101 for the Board of Directors; and Jaime Cobb, vice president of dementia and caregiver education at the James L. West Center for Dementia Care in Fort Worth, Texas, who spoke on how to understand signs of dementia and how to best support and communicate with residents living with dementia.
The conference was hosted by the board of directors and staff of the Mollie and Max Barnett Apartments/Tarrant County B’nai B’rith Apartments in Fort Worth, Texas. Participants were given a great tour of the residences, followed by a visit to Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards district. There, the board of directors hosted conference participants at Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. We even had a special guest appearance by a local high school’s mariachi band.
A big thank you to the board and staff of the Mollie and Max Barnett Apartments/Tarrant County B’nai B’rith Apartments for all their hard work helping to put together a fantastic meeting!
See Photos from the Conference in Fort Worth:
See Photos from the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Adelstein Family-Project H.O.P.E. B'nai B'rith House on August 22, 2019:
See Photos from Recent Congressional Visits to CSS Housing Locations:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Letter to Residents of B'nai B'rith Golden Years Senior Apartments
#SeniorHousingNOW 2019 RallyHUD Section 202 Rally at U.S. Capitol Features Seniors, Senators, House Member
B’nai B’rith International co-hosted a rally on Capitol Hill today to call attention to the need for more affordable senior housing. About 1,000 people attended the Senior Housing Now rally, which featured Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine; Missouri Rep. William Clay; California Rep. Katie Hill; and Florida Rep. Donna Shalala, along with residents of affordable housing for low-income seniors.
Photos from the 2019 #SeniorHousingNow Rally |
Watch:
2017 Photos from Senior Housing Residents Across the Country Rallying to #SaveHUD202 |
Our Experts, Analyzing the Issues
Senior Housing
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B'nai B'rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the United States.
The B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network in the United States consists of 38 buildings in 28 communities, encompassing more than 4,000 apartment units and serving more than 5,000 people. The mission of B'nai B'rith Senior Housing is to provide seniors with quality, affordable housing in a secure, supportive community environment, without regard to religion, race or national origin in order to maximize their independent and dignified lifestyle. We launched our senior housing program in 1968, and since 1971, in a cooperative partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, B'nai B'rith has made rental apartments available for senior citizens with limited incomes. B'nai B'rith senior housing is open to all qualified individuals as defined by HUD, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap or national origin. |
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B'nai B'rith has also developed a variety of housing alternatives around the globe. The organization sponsors "parents' homes" in Australia, New Zealand, and Israel; senior citizens "flatlets" in England; an apartment building and a medical residence in Vancouver, British Columbia; and apartment buildings in Toronto. Although funded through their own national programs and tailored to meet the particular needs of the host country, these programs remain a vital component of the international B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network.
Local B'nai B'rith volunteers and the senior service staff in the national office plan and complete all B'nai B'rith senior housing projects.
Local B'nai B'rith volunteers and the senior service staff in the national office plan and complete all B'nai B'rith senior housing projects.
U.S. Housing Locations |
Canadian Housing Locations |
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What is a B'nai B'rith building?
Quality Assurance
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What makes a "good" B'nai B'rith building?
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Blog - People Helping People: The Story Of
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Rep. Ted Deutch Visits Low-Income Seniors At B’nai B’rith Deerfield Beach Apartments“With approximately 10,000 Americans reaching retirement age each day and increases in life expectancy, the population of older Americans will double between 2012 and 2050. Congress must continue strong support for programs like Section 202 to ensure that high housing costs do not jeopardize a safe and secure retirement for hundreds of thousands of seniors. It was a pleasure to meet with the residents, board members, and staff of B’nai B’rith to see how federal investments in affordable housing help maintain quality of life and independence for South Florida seniors. Every American deserves to retire with dignity. Organizations like B’nai B’rith make that possible." |
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Contact Us
For more information on the subsidized senior housing program, please email seniors@bnaibrith.org.
