Housing is one of our main advocacy priorities, and what we have learned from more than 40 years in that field has shaped the rest of our “aging policy” agenda.
B’nai B’rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for seniors in the United States, with 42 buildings in 26 communities. We also sponsor seniors’ residences in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Canada, as well as additional facilities around the world. In the United States, we provide safe, affordable housing for more than 8,000 seniors of limited income without regard to race, national origin or religion. In order to fulfill our mission and standards of operations for each building, B’nai B’rith staff provides ongoing training, troubleshooting, programming and advocacy outreach for the entire housing network. |
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Training, for both professional staff and volunteer leaders in buildings, is a crucial component of our work. In June, the managers and service coordinators of the U.S. buildings met for three days of intensive training with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing experts and social workers. As part of the program, they took part in a B’nai B’rith disaster relief service project with the New York Young Leadership Network by stuffing disaster preparedness kits for low-income seniors affected by Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, they were briefed on the role that the “fiscal cliff” and deficit negotiations play in not only housing policy, but a myriad of other programs that affect their residents’ day-to-day lives.
In July, 35 resident leaders from across the B’nai B’rith Housing Network attended the bi-annual B’nai B’rith Resident Leadership Retreat. Held at B’nai B’rith Perlman Camp in Starlight, Penn., while the camp is in session, this week-long retreat of workshops run by B’nai B’rith staff is designed to give the residents the tools to be leaders in their community, and to effectively run their buildings’ tenants’ associations. Residents return to their buildings energized and excited. As a result of this training, two buildings that do not have a tenants’ association are now organizing them. Since Perlman Camp is in session during the retreat, there is also an opportunity for intergenerational programming, which is a benefit not just to the seniors but to the campers as well. HUD gives high praise to this innovative program, and this past year staff presented papers on the program at large, industry-leading housing conferences including LeadingAge and the American Association of Service Coordinators, helping other organizations to train their resident leaders.
The annual B’nai B’rith International Conference on Senior Housing, which brings together the Boards of Directors and management of the buildings for three days of training, was held this year in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in October. After hearing from experts on the state of funding for affordable senior housing in the United States, participants focused on creative ways to raise funds, including grant writing training, as well as networking with their United States and Canadian colleagues. A highlight of the conference was a visit to the B‘nai B’rith House, as well as a program on “green” building design features along with a drum circle program that can be replicated in all of the buildings.
Staff continues to work with the housing network to provide informative programming for the residents. B’nai B’rith was awarded a grant from Bank of the West to create an elder fraud presentation for the buildings located in Arizona and California. The program focuses on some of the most common threats against the elderly: how to identify a scam, what to do if you are a victim and what you can do if you suspect a friend or neighbor is a victim. Efforts are underway to obtain grants to provide this programming nationwide.
Staff continues to work with the housing network to provide informative programming for the residents. B’nai B’rith was awarded a grant from Bank of the West to create an elder fraud presentation for the buildings located in Arizona and California. The program focuses on some of the most common threats against the elderly: how to identify a scam, what to do if you are a victim and what you can do if you suspect a friend or neighbor is a victim. Efforts are underway to obtain grants to provide this programming nationwide.
We have partnered with the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in Washington, D.C., to provide information and screenings for seniors at risk for low vision because of diabetes or glaucoma.
Working directly with seniors for more than four decades has expanded our understanding of their needs. As a recognized expert on affordable housing for seniors, B’nai B’rith speaks out against cutting programs that are the lifeline for many of our vulnerable elderly. As members of various coalitions, including the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) and the Elderly Housing Coalition (EHC), we continue to make our voice heard in Congress, that programs affecting the lives of low-income seniors cannot continue to be cut. Prior to the sequestration cuts in March, we organized a congressional outreach and media campaign to get the word out that the federal spending cuts would hurt programs that benefit low-income elderly. B’nai B’rith will continue this holistic approach to blending our housing and advocacy with both programs and issues.
We call on Congress to support and expand existing housing, but we also address other federal policies that affect the lives of older adults.
This year we have focused on Older Americans Act programs that fund everything from Meals on Wheels to adult day care services, as well as on protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits. These programs all work together to provide the safeguards that allow low-income elders to age in place and safeguard the future of all the nation’s retirees. We continue to find new ways to extend the reach of our housing and advocacy programs through new social media, while also using new workplace technology to make communicating within the housing network easier and more effective in advancing our shared goals.
Working directly with seniors for more than four decades has expanded our understanding of their needs. As a recognized expert on affordable housing for seniors, B’nai B’rith speaks out against cutting programs that are the lifeline for many of our vulnerable elderly. As members of various coalitions, including the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) and the Elderly Housing Coalition (EHC), we continue to make our voice heard in Congress, that programs affecting the lives of low-income seniors cannot continue to be cut. Prior to the sequestration cuts in March, we organized a congressional outreach and media campaign to get the word out that the federal spending cuts would hurt programs that benefit low-income elderly. B’nai B’rith will continue this holistic approach to blending our housing and advocacy with both programs and issues.
We call on Congress to support and expand existing housing, but we also address other federal policies that affect the lives of older adults.
This year we have focused on Older Americans Act programs that fund everything from Meals on Wheels to adult day care services, as well as on protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits. These programs all work together to provide the safeguards that allow low-income elders to age in place and safeguard the future of all the nation’s retirees. We continue to find new ways to extend the reach of our housing and advocacy programs through new social media, while also using new workplace technology to make communicating within the housing network easier and more effective in advancing our shared goals.