Bronx, NY – Today, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Chair of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, was joined by Latino lawmakers and elderly advocacy groups to release startling data on the pervasive issue of elderly poverty in our state. With data gathered from the Census, some major New York State cities show elderly poverty rates exceeding 35%. It is evident that while an increased life expectancy rate seems progressive, various issues have arisen caused by rising poverty. Almost 1 in 5 senior citizens in New York live in poverty, with rates varying substantially by their ethnic/racial composition and location in the state.

Assemblyman Crespo stated, “Latino elderly suffer the highest rate of poverty, joining Latino children in having the unenviable distinction of having the highest poverty rate of all our residents. We have to do what is right to help the most vulnerable in our society.”

Mario Tapia, the president of the Latino Center on Aging stated, “The Report on Elderly Poverty released by Latino lawmakers has uncovered – once again – the impoverished living conditions of the elderly in the State of New York, in particular the Latino elderly. To the LCA, after 25 years working on their behalf, these figures are deeply disheartening. We believe major public and private organizations entrusted to serve the poor elderly continue ignoring demographic changes that have taken place in NY. We commend and strongly support any effort to alleviate expenses that poor elderly must incur in their struggle for daily living.”

The report indicates that as demographic changes take place in upstate cities, Latino elderly continue to be plagued by poverty. This shows the pervasiveness of this issue. The city of Schenectady tops the chart showing Latino elderly poverty rates at 38.4% closely followed by Syracuse and Buffalo at 34% and 35.4% respectively.

“As advocates and service providers at the community level, we knew it was bad, but this study confirms our worst fears! Our Latino seniors, who worked so hard all their lives to build this City and State, are barely surviving, living in poverty, and have little hope for a better life,” stated Suleika Cabrera Drinane, President & CEO of the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc.

Mr. Tapia added, “We urge and encourage Latino legislators to continue this crusade of bringing fairness to the frailest segment of our community, the elderly, who have contributed part of their lives to the betterment of the Empire State.”

Ms. Drinane shared this sentiment stating, “The Institute stands with Assemblyman Crespo and the Task Force to demand legislative action that will have immediate impact on this immoral Elderly Poverty Crisis that so disproportionately impacts our Latino seniors Downstate and Upstate!”

Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo has introduced A7495, which establishes a senior citizen utility circuit breaker personal income tax credit. “As utility rates in New York continue to skyrocket, our elderly are disproportionately affected. This legislation aims to reduce the burden of utilities on seniors. The credit shall be equal to one half of those eligible expenses, which exceed 7% of a filer’s income. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits will be subtracted from this credit.”

“AARP commends Assemblyman Crespo for his leadership in addressing this important issue of poverty and how it affects the quality of life,” said Yvette Martinez, AARP Associate State Director of Community Outreach.

Ms. Martinez continued, “We stand ready to work with our elected officials here in the Bronx and across the state in stamping out poverty, especially in hard hit communities, as well as addressing out-of-control utility bills so at least people don’t have to make a choice between paying their bill or putting food on their table. Everyone deserves to live with independence and dignity in their communities.”

Over the past decade, New York State has surpassed the national average of life expectancy, recording at 80.9 years (NYC Dept. of Health). On a national level, the number of elderly living to 100 years of age has been doubling every 10 years. Hispanic elderly have the longest life-expectancy of any group, but also suffer the highest rates of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and coronary disease.

Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., Ranking Member on the Committee on Aging stated, "I am all too familiar with the serious problems of poverty that face many of our seniors. Their lives should not be filled with the daily struggles of how to afford and secure the basic necessities of life: food, clothing and shelter. I am exceptionally proud of Assemblyman Marcos Crespo for calling attention to this problem, and for his call to action for all of us to fight for our seniors who have given so much to us.”

Noris Colon, Executive Director of H.O.G.A.R stated, “We must address the economic issues NOW and not months or years from now that are affecting the quality of life our elderly, and in particular the increasing number in the Latino sector. On a daily basis HOGAR Inc. encounters seniors that walk into the agency looking for affordable housing, seniors without no food and nutritional deficits, and lack of a Community Center that speaks their language where they can socialize and also receive support services. Health care providers have denied them services because of the new Medicaid regulations. Our seniors have been denied and discriminated against for too long. We must develop viable resources and culturally competent service providers that can be geared specifically to our needy Latino elderly and their communities.”

“There must also be more support for our Latino community and faith based organizations that serve poor and low income elderly and families. Our Latino CBOs and Faith Based Organizations are too often called ‘uncompetitive’ or not big enough to get the funding to help our seniors. We need to change that. We need to mobilize all of our united forces to wage and win this 21st century war on poverty,” concluded Ms. Drinane.

Assemblyman Crespo added, “By linking this relief to income, we can ensure that the benefits are provided to those that need it most.”

Please click here to view the elderly poverty report.