Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) introduced The Elder Abuse Prevention in Public Housing Act into the U.S. House of Representatives.

This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide training for employees of public housing agencies (PHAs) regarding the prevention, identification, and intervention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in public housing settings. The goal is to ensure that PHA staff can recognize and respond appropriately to instances of elder abuse, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of elder residents who receive housing assistance. The potential benefits include the following:

1. Enhanced Protection for Elder Residents:
   1. Trained staff will be more equipped to detect and respond to abuse, preventing harm and improving the quality of life for elder persons.
2. Reduction in Incidents of Elder Abuse:
   1. Proactive identification and intervention can reduce the incidence of abuse, lowering healthcare costs and reducing the burden on social services.
3. Strengthened Partnerships:
   1. Annual consultations with local agencies will build stronger partnerships between PHAs and organizations specializing in elder care, creating a community of support around vulnerable residents.

Elder abuse, which includes physical, emotional, and financial harm, is a pervasive issue that affects one in ten older Americans each year. This problem is particularly acute in public housing settings, where vulnerable elder residents may be isolated and less able to advocate for themselves. Unfortunately, employees of PHAs may not be adequately trained to recognize or respond to signs of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The current gaps include the following: 

1. Lack of Training:
   1. Most public housing agencies do not provide specialized training to their employees on how to handle cases of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Without proper training, these employees may overlook critical warning signs, fail to provide appropriate support, or inadvertently exacerbate the situation.
2. Inconsistent Policies Across Jurisdictions:
   1. While some PHAs have taken proactive steps to address elder abuse, there is no consistent standard or requirement at the federal level, resulting in a patchwork approach to protecting elder residents.
3. Growing Elder Population in Public Housing:
   1. With the aging population, the number of elder residents in public housing is expected to increase significantly. This demographic shift makes it imperative for PHAs to adapt and ensure that their staff is prepared to meet the needs of this vulnerable group.

RELEVANT DATA: Over 77,000 NYCHA residents are adults aged 62 and older, representing approximately 24% of the total NYCHA population. Over 43% of Section 8 households in New York City have an older adult resident. It is estimated that 1 in 10 older adults will experience some form of abuse each year. Research suggests that as few as 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported to authorities. In the vast majority of elder abuse cases, the older adult is mistreated by someone they know, and a recent study showed that in nearly half (47%) of the cases the person causing harm was a family member.

Earlier today, Rep. Torres held a press conference at SHOPP Casa Boricua Older Adult Center in the Bronx to announce this legislation. He was joined by leaders from LiveOn NY, the Weinberg Center, and Neighborhood SHOPP. See photos from the presser attached to this email.

The full text of the bill can be viewed here.