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NYS Office for the Aging Listening Tour 9/27/04 - 2:00 p.m. - The Listening Tour is held every two years; LIHS' participation was invited by Sharon Mullon, Commissioner. This session was held at the Massapequa Park Senior Community Service Center on the topic of Issues/Programs and Services directly related to older persons and their families. Harriet Spiegelman represented LIHS to raise the issues listed below as observed by staff. LIHS' Get Acquainted…Fair Housing Rights Guide for Long Island was distributed along with informational fliers about predatory lending and our unique program and services. Of all in attendance, LIHS was the only voice for housing issues affecting seniors and all.

Issues Directly Related to Older Persons and Their Families

  • Lack of affordable housing. High rents and yearly increases that have no cap to protect the consumer from being forced out. Need to regulate rent costs (as other consumer items are able to be regulated).
  • Landlords charging unconscionably high late fees and charges and illegally specifying tenants must pay attorney's fees if matters go into court (even if the landlord is found in violation).
  • Inadequate grace period for rent payments to be made timely (eg if LL requires payment of rent by the fifth of the month and seniors rely on direct deposit of social security [SSI/SSD or pension $] - that money isn't deposited into their bank account until the 3rd of the month, this forces many to be getting late charges, which are not affordable to seniors on fixed incomes and can also often lead to [unnecessary] eviction).
  • Security deposits held for an 'unreasonable' length of time - more than 60 days - large landlords (e.g. Fairfield, Cassata) now specifying a 60-day period for which tenant can receive deposit back; usually, tenants need their security money in order to make the move
  • Landlords violating provision of NYS RPL that says interest on security to be paid on yearly basis to TT and give notice as to where [what NYS bank] security money is being held.
  • Lack of accessible housing for seniors with mobility impairments.
  • Lack of integrity of Landlords that do not comply with laws relating to fair housing requirements that a housing provider must make reasonable accommodation (changes in rules/policies/procedures) or physical modifications to the structure that would allow access and full use/enjoyment of the housing.
  • Lack of compliance with 55 and over regulations allowing for senior housing.
  • Seniors getting scammed into home improvement and refinance schemes that are of no financial benefit to them, often at very high rates.
  • Seniors running into difficulty in meeting tax payments and mortgage payments that are unaware of community resources which could help them avoid serious delinquency and foreclosure. Any senior in default of timely tax payments and mortgages should be directed by the municipality collecting taxes and the lender to contact a HUD-approved Housing counseling agency. Better yet, the municipality should notify the area HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that a senior requires intervention to avoid foreclosure.
  • Reverse mortgages - lenders (and some not-for-profits) not legitimately following the regulations that require comprehensive, intensive consumer counseling/education prior to getting seniors to commit to a loan.
  • Regulate rent costs (as other consumer items are able to be regulated).

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