Senator Cordell Cleare hosted her annual National Senior Citizens Day in Harlem last week, to honor neighborhood centenarians and highlight a bill that would help lower energy bills for seniors.
Now in its third year, Senior Citizens Day in Harlem is held at the plaza at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building. Cleare, Harlem electeds, and local organizations gave out free community resources, fresh produce, and groceries; hosted entertainment, games, and activities; and provided health screenings to more 1,300 senior citizens.
“This National Senior Citizens Day in Harlem is a shining example of community collaboration and a tribute to the trailblazers who have nurtured, mentored, shared their wisdom, and sacrificed so much for us,” Cleare said in a statement. “This event celebrates our elders, on whose shoulders we stand, who have paved the way for us, and who continue to contribute so much to our community. They are truly deserving of this recognition.”
The celebration honored three centenarians: Charlotte Patton, Irene Billips, and Ottiene Sanders, who are all 102 years old, and Walter Micheaux, who is 103.
“Today, we honor the unwavering strength and enduring legacy of our senior citizens — the true foundation of our communities,” Senator Robert Jackson said in a statement. “Standing in solidarity with leaders like Senator Cleare and our community partners, we reaffirm our commitment to empower and uplift our elders, ensuring they continue to live with dignity in the city they helped build.”
Last year, Cleare introduced legislation, Bill 8760A, that would require the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to automatically identify and enroll participants in the state’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) into the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help lower the cost of their heating and cooling bills.
“As chair of the Aging Committee, I advocate for our elders daily, from senior housing to closing the waitlist for senior services, increasing funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and securing more monies to provide nursing services for our Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities,” Cleare said. “I want to continue to create essential legislation; protect and promote resources, and successful health programs; and … bring benefits to seniors in our communities.”
The bill has already passed in the State Assembly and Senate and is now awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature to become law. At the event’s press conference, Cleare urged Hochul to sign the bill, taking into consideration how weather extremes can cause year-round financial strain for New Yorkers.
“For the last two summers, we have endured sweltering temperatures and continue to urge our residents to take precautions and protect themselves during these heat waves,” Cleare said. “Black people suffer disproportionately from heat-related illnesses and even death, due to economic, environmental, and health disparities. However, as the cooler months approach, we want to ensure that our older New Yorkers are able to take advantage of all of the state’s heat-related benefits as well.”
According to a 2023 Con Edison study analyzing climate change vulnerability, the city will experience up to 17 days a year with temperatures of 95 degrees or higher by 2030, up to 27 such days by 2040, and up to 32 by 2050. The ConEd report is based on climate change projections developed by Columbia University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in 2019.
“Our seniors are invaluable members of our community and need assistance to help pay their energy bills and stay safe. Automatic enrollment in HEAP [Home Energy Assistance Program] for New Yorkers already receiving EPIC is common-sense legislation that will ensure our seniors in need can benefit from this program,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
“It’s hard to imagine why the governor wouldn’t sign this common-sense bill. Doing otherwise would only leave millions of federal dollars on the table, and thousands of older New Yorkers without the help they need, and deserve, with home heating and cooling costs,” added AARP New York Associate State Director Reggie Nance. “The legislature has done its part. Now it’s up to Governor Hochul.”