Commissioner Lisa Scott McKenzie introduces NYC Aging testimony and OAC portfolio
McKenzie introduces herself as Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging. She says there are 105 OACs primarily serving NYCHA residents across the five boroughs. She notes OACs provide more than 6.3 million meals and connect older adults to workforce, mental health, and elder justice services.
Thank you.
Good morning, Chair Zwong, Chair Banks, and members of the New York City Council Committee on Aging and Committee on Public Housing.
I am Dr.
Lisa Scott McKenzie, Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging.
I appreciate the opportunity to testify before you today about older adult centers in New York City, housing authority facilities, and to speak on Introduction 1083.
Throughout the New York City Aging Portfolio of Programs, there are 105 OACs primarily serving NYCHA residents across the five boroughs.
These represent a range of OAC types, including some of our largest and smallest centers.
As we have discussed in past hearings, OACs are a critical component of the many services and programs offered to older New Yorkers.
In addition to the important work of providing more than 6.3 million meals at OACs in partnership with the council, older adults also need to be connected to other critical programs which address their needs.
These include workforce programs, mental health services, or elder justice and elder abuse services.
Nearly 150,000 older adults attended an NYC Aging OAC throughout New York City in FY 2026.
Around one-third of those are NYCHA Center attendees.
Because of that fact, we are constantly
working to ensure that the services in these centers are efficient and meet the needs of older NYCHA residents.