There’s quite a lot of consternation about New York’s proposed budget, one of the most austere in years. But advocates for the city’s senior centers are, to say the least, relieved that the governor agreed to restore $25 million in Title XX funding.
We’ve been reporting about the threatened cuts, which could have forced the city to close six senior centers on the Lower East Side.
Care providers and advocacy organizations, including University Settlement, Hamilton Madison House and the Bowery Residents’ Committee here on the LES, fought against the cuts.
There were City Hall rallies, letter writing campaigns and phone banking. Both the Assembly and Senate restored funding in their proposed budgets — and following negotiations between the governor and Legislative leaders over the weekend, it became clear everyone was committed to keeping the centers open.
