WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act—legislation that supports affordable housing and increases cleaning, disinfecting, and PPE for Arizona seniors in need during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Every day my office hears from Arizona seniors, concerned loved ones, and health workers worried about the spread of coronavirus. Increasing support for Arizona seniors living in affordable housing helps ensure stable living environments while keeping seniors safe,” said Sinema.
Last year, Arizona social-service agencies reported that of those seeking emergency shelter in Arizona, nearly one-third were over the age of 55. According to the Arizona Republic, seniors are the fastest growing homeless population in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Nationally, this crisis of seniors experiencing homelessness is known as the “silver tsunami.”
Sinema recently secured a commitment from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to partner together and launch a new website to help Arizona renters and homeowners learn more about all the resources and assistance available to them during the coronavirus pandemic. Sinema and a group of Senators from the Banking Committee also recently introduced legislation providing a new $75 billion Housing Assistance Fund to help everyday Arizona families afford rent, mortgage, and utility payments during the coronavirus pandemic. Sinema also recently outlined recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to adopt and use as part of the recently announced Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes.
Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus.
