As policies to address the statewide housing crisis continue to be debated in Albany, new videos by Regional Plan Association, with support from AARP, highlight the challenges of housing insecurity faced by older Long Island residents who are struggling to age in place.

The videos highlight resident and advocate voices on Long Island discussing how the lack of housing supply forces older residents into undesirable living conditions and the need for flexibility in housing regulations to allow for more housing options close to family and friends. As Laura and Pilar highlight in the clips below, there are just not enough affordable homes available on Long Island to meet the demand; hundreds of individuals and families apply for every available unit, and so many Long Islanders are stuck on housing waitlists for years.

New York leaders are stepping up to the challenge. Governor Hochul’s proposed Housing Compact is a bold initiative for all municipalities to become part of the solution to addressing our housing crisis. With targets of 3% housing growth across all Long Island communities, a push for more density around transit stations, and a menu of options to make it easier for communities to develop new housing types to reflect their needs, the Compact could transform how we approach housing and make it easier for older residents to age in place and be closer to their friends, families and the care they need to remain on Long Island.

RPA and dozens of other housing advocates have come together under the New York Neighbors coalition to support the Governor’s Housing Compact. But much more needs to be done to end exclusionary policies that, for far too long, have prevented the development of new housing to meet the needs of an aging population. By talking with neighbors, connecting with local leaders, and voicing support for new policies and projects we can help make Long Island an easier place to call home.