On July 1, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul released New York’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging (MPA)—a comprehensive roadmap outlining more than 100 proposals aimed at supporting the state’s rapidly growing population of older adults. The plan covers a broad range of focus areas, including healthcare, transportation, caregiver support, technology, and long-term care infrastructure.

One key area of focus is housing access and affordability for aging New Yorkers.

The report notes that the number of adults over age 60 in New York is projected to grow by 1.5 million—reaching over 5.3 million by 2030. As this demographic expands, access to safe, suitable, and affordable housing is expected to become a critical factor in helping individuals age with dignity and independence.

The plan outlines several strategies to address this challenge:

• Zoning reform to support a broader mix of housing types, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and age-friendly communities.
• Incentives for affordable and supportive housing, encouraging developers to create units specifically designed for seniors.
• Targeted upzoning in high-need areas to increase housing supply and relieve market pressure.
• Expansion of the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program, which freezes rent for income-eligible tenants over age 62 living in rent-stabilized apartments and reimburses landlords through property tax abatements.

While the MPA is not legally binding, it serves as a long-term framework to guide future legislative and regulatory decisions. Notably, the FY 2026 state budget includes $45 million in additional funding for community-based aging services—one of the MPA’s key recommendations. As implementation conversations continue, the MPA provides a shared foundation for state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners to coordinate efforts that support aging in place.