MRT Affordable Housing Work Group to Focus on Budget Priorities

LeadingAge NY will attend the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Affordable Housing Work Group meeting this Friday, Feb. 21, to help ensure that some of the funding available will benefit seniors.  We were extremely pleased to see that the Governor has proposed an increase in funding for these initiatives in this year's executive budget.  We anticipate the release of a senior-focused pilot initiative shortly, and we are eager to show how this opportunity can have a profound impact on the system and on seniors.  These funds will be distributed through a grant process and will target initiatives in housing that serve low income seniors.  The ultimate objective of all of MRT initiatives is to save Medicaid dollars. We will let members know when the application is available. 

This week's work group meeting will focus on how the pool of funding allocated in this year's budget should should be allocated.  We are working to ensure that the full amount of funding will survive budget negotiations, as we see further opportunities for investment in housing to save Medicaid dollars.  LeadingAge NY serves on the Affordable Housing Work Group and will work with other stakeholders to help ensure that we continue to invest in housing options for low income seniors to prevent institutionalization and save the state money.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828