New York City’s older population—now more than 3.5 million people—is growing faster than any other age group. Yet, instead of investing in the well-being of those who built this city and made it great, Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 threatens to abandon them at a time when they need more support, not less.
The Mayor is proposing a devastating $100 million in cuts that could shut the doors of as many as 60 older adult centers across the city—eliminating vital services that keep older adults healthy, engaged, and connected to their communities. This unacceptable and ageist decision would leave thousands of older adults—many of whom rely on these centers for meals, support, and social connection—without a safety net in their time of need.
These cuts couldn’t come at a worse time. The city’s 65-and-over population grew by 34% between 2012 and 2022. Meanwhile, the number of older New Yorkers living below the poverty line has surged by 33.6% over the past decade. These statistics paint a stark picture: older adults face rising economic hardship, and now the city is poised to take away critical services that help them survive.
Older adult centers are lifelines. They provide nutritious meals, social engagement, and access to essential resources, including health and wellness programs. In Brooklyn, at the Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults, older adults gather for exercise classes, communal meals, and health screenings, all of which help them remain independent and healthy. Closing this center would mean depriving hundreds of older adults of these essential services.
In Queens, the Rochdale Village Senior Center in Jamaica has been a cornerstone of the community, serving hundreds of meals each month to residents who would otherwise go hungry. Nearly 90% of those who receive meals through older adult centers say that this support helps them remain in their own homes. Shuttering these centers would increase isolation and food insecurity, further straining city resources.
Meanwhile, in East Harlem, the Carter Burden Network Leonard Covello Older Adult Center offers culturally inclusive programs and social services that reflect the diversity of its members. Many attendees rely on it not only for meals but also for educational workshops and assistance with benefits navigation. The closure of this center would disproportionately impact low-income, immigrant, and minority older adults who already face higher rates of poverty and economic insecurity.
These closures are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent real losses for real people. Over half of the older adult population in New York reported no retirement income in 2022. Cutting funding for older adult centers will only exacerbate the financial insecurity crisis looming over our city.
Mayor Adams and the City Council must address this critical funding gap. Investing in older adult services is not a burden; it is a necessity. Older New Yorkers built this city, and they deserve to age with dignity in the communities they call home. We urge our elected officials to fully fund these essential programs and reject any budget that puts older adults at risk.
A budget is a statement of priorities. By slashing funding for older adult centers, Mayor Adams is sending a clear message: older New Yorkers are not a priority. This is not just an oversight—it is a deliberate and discriminatory policy decision that ignores the needs of our city’s aging population.
New York’s older population is growing, and we must grow with them. It’s time for the Mayor to recognize that investing in older adults is an investment in the future of our city.
