Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#19)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Review, consolidate and direct policy and budgetary actions to implement improvements to current programs that maintain or modify homes to be accessible for older adults and people with disabilities.
Justification
Home modification programs are needed to ensure older adults and people with disabilities can age in place successfully. However, older adults have difficulty navigating through the maze of programs. Reviewing the existing programs that allow older people to maintain or modify their homes to keep them well maintained, safe, accessible, and energy efficient or climate resilient for efficiency, will ensure older adults can age in their homes and avoid unnecessary institutionalization.
Full Proposal
As an investment in housing equity, review and direct improvements or expansion as necessary for programs that maintain or modify all homes for increased accessibility.
- Enable the state Chief Customer Experience Officer, along with state agencies administering programs that help older people maintain or modify their homes for maintenance, safety, accessibility, and climate resilience, to review existing programs for efficiency, effectiveness, and overlap. The results of the review will be released in a report that identifies opportunities for consolidation and standardization of such home modifications across the state.
- Make grants available for the programs that build ramps for renters and homeowners and ensure funding for home repairs.
- Provide older adults in need of urgent home access for hospital discharge with temporary ramps to help them avoid unnecessary institutionalization.
- Create a fast-track approval process for home modifications for accessibility. Municipal applications for walk-in showers, grab bar installation, wheelchair ramp installation and doorway widening will be deemed approved within 30 days of submission unless denied for cause.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as near-term. The first step for implementation of Component 1 would be to organize a planning meeting between the State’s Chief Customer Experience Officer (CCEO) and representatives from NYSOFA, HCR, DOH, and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to identify relevant programs. Subsequently, appropriate State resources would need to be identified to collaborate with the CCEO to identify any other State agencies with relevant programs. Components 2 and 3 would require funding and thus be subject to annual budgeting processes and the availability of resources. Policymakers may reference this proposal during the legislative session, as Component 4 may require legislative action.