What's happening
This bill requires New York State to create and maintain a publicly accessible online database of available senior housing units statewide.
Why it matters
Provides a centralized, comprehensive resource for seniors and their families. , making it easier to compare and locate suitable housing options—including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities—across the state.
Increases transparency in the senior housing market. by requiring that key information (such as rent, accepted subsidies/vouchers, and owner contact details) be made publicly available for each unit.
Requires ongoing, monthly updates from local agencies. , helping ensure that the information remains current and reflects real-time availability—potentially reducing wait times and confusion for those seeking housing.
Could improve access to affordable housing and social services. by making it clearer where subsidies are accepted and what assistance is available, which may benefit low-income seniors or those navigating complex housing options.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Senior Housing Database
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to aging
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to aging
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1201
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. CLEARE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the public housing law, in relation to requiring the division of housing and community renewal, in collaboration with the New York state office for the aging, to establish a publicly accessible online database of available senior housing units statewide; and to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring the New York state office for the aging to maintain the senior housing unit database
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public housing law is amended by adding a new section 14-a to read as follows:
§ 14-a. Senior housing unit database. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "The office" means the New York state office for the aging.
(b) "The director" means the director of the New York state office for the aging.
(c) "Local office" means a local area agency on aging, located in every county in New York state except New York city where there is one such local office that covers all five boroughs.
(d) "Database" means the senior housing unit database established by this section.
2. (a) The division of housing and community renewal, in collaboration with the New York state office for the aging, shall establish a publicly accessible online database of available senior housing units statewide.
(b) Such database shall be published on the office's website, and shall be maintained and updated by the office.
3. The available housing units displayed on such database shall include, but shall not be limited to, designated senior housing units, both public and private, and independent living, assisted living, and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04013-01-5
skilled nursing facilities. The database shall provide information about such available housing units, including, but not limited to:
(a) address;
(b) monthly rent to be covered by tenant;
(c) rental assistance accepted, including, but not limited to, subsidies and vouchers; and
(d) owner information, including name and contact information such as address, phone number, and/or email address.
4. In order to maintain the senior housing unit database pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision two of this section, the director shall direct each local office to collect information on vacant senior housing units monthly. Each local office shall provide such information to the office and the office shall update the database with such information monthly. Local offices shall make such information available in office, and may also make such information available on their own websites.
§ 2. Section 202 of the elder law is amended by adding a new subdivision 14-a to read as follows:
14-a. to maintain the senior housing unit database pursuant to section fourteen-a of the public housing law;
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to requiring the division of housing and community renewal, in collaboration with the New York state office for the aging, to establish a publicly accessible online database of available senior housing units statewide; and to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring the New York state office for the aging to maintain the senior housing unit database
Purpose or general idea of bill
To direct the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, in collab- oration with the NYS Office for the Aging, to establish the senior hous- ing unit database to enable seniors in New York State to search for available housing units.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill adds a new section 14-a to the public housing law to establish and define the senior housing unit database. Further- more, this section specifies that the database shall include designated senior housing units, both public and private, as well as independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. The database will include information such as the address, rent and rental assistance accepted. It also describes the duties and responsibilities of each local office.
Section two adds a new subdivision 14-A to section 202 of the elder law to ensure the database is maintained pursuant to section 14-a of the housing law.
Section three sets forth the effective date.
Justification
There are many factors that influence what kind of housing a senior must pursue, including the type of assistance and facilities that a unit provides, as well as what kind of rent or rental acceptance the unit accepts. Currently, in order to find senior housing that meets the prospective tenant's individual needs, the senior must complete a unique inquiry process for each prospective property, making the pursuit of finding an appropriate senior living facility a long, arduous, and often, intimidating task.
This bill will direct the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, in collaboration with the office of the Aging, to establish a database for senior housing that will streamline the process by which seniors can search for available housing units. The database will include critical information such as private and public units, the type of care offered, and the rent or rental assistance accepted. This bill will also ensure that the database is maintained.
Prior legislative history
New Bill In 2024; Passed Senate Aging.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.