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Agenda Item No. 5(E) Mayor Mark Friedman July 21, 2015 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Barbara Boxer The Honorable Mark DeSaulnier United States Senate United States Congress 112 Hart Senate Building 327 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515 RE: Reauthorize and increase funding for the Older Americans Act 2015 Dear Congressman DeSaulnier and Senators Feinstein and Boxer : Upon the recommendation of El Cerrito’s Committee on Aging and on behalf of the El Cerrito City Council I am writing you in support of reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Older Americans Act. Seniors in El Cerrito and across the nation will be negatively impacted if these funds are eliminated. As of 2010 El Cerrito’s senior population of 65 years and over was 17.9%, and by 2030 El Cerrito could see over 25% of the city’s population being seniors. Nationally the senior population of 65 and older is 13%, and by 2030 will be 18%. Delaying or preventing more costly institutional services helps people remain in their homes, the setting of choice for most. Yet current funding leaves many needs unmet, increasing reliance on more expensive medical and institutional care. The Older Americans Act provides critical services to millions of frail seniors – many of whom are homebound. Crucial services such as home delivered and congregate meals, family caregiver support, in-home assistance, preventive health services, transportation, job training, protection from abuse, and other supportive services help about 11 million older adults stay as independent as possible. In Fiscal Year 2014, Older Americans Act federal funding was $1.88 billion. Funding has been relatively flat over the past decade, failing to keep up with inflation and demand from a rapidly expanding older population. While funding in FY 2014 was roughly the same as it was in FY 2004, the age 65 and older population grew by approximately 30 percent. From 2004 to 2020, this population is projected to grow by more than 55 percent. Funding supplied by the Older Americans Act plays a key role in delaying or preventing more costly institutional services and helps seniors remain in their homes. More funding, not less, is needed to keep pace with the growing senior population. Let us ensure that some of our most vulnerable and valuable citizens remain connected to society and enjoy as high a quality of life as possible. Sincerely, Mark Friedman, Mayor City of El Cerrito CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone (510)215-4379 http://www.el-cerrito.org ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(E) Attachment July 21, 2015 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Barbara Boxer The Honorable Mark DeSaulnier United States Senate United States Congress 112 Hart Senate Office Building 327 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515 RE: Reauthorize and increase funding for the Older Americans Act 2015 Dear: Senator Feinstein, Senator Boxer and Congressman DeSaulnier: This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. This law was enacted to help provide the most vulnerable of seniors in our country with necessary services to help them remain healthy and secure in their homes. The Older Americans Act provides funding for many services that serve our frail seniors to help them stay independent. These services include the preparation and delivery of meals, job training, senior centers, caregiver, caregiver support, transportation, health promotion, benefits enrollment and much more. The Older Americans Act expired in 2011 and is now long overdue for reauthorization. In addition, the Older Americans Act funding needs to be restored to help the 3 million people who currently benefit from it. The El Cerrito Committee on Aging has recommended to the El Cerrito City Council that the Council urge Congress to step forward to update and renew its commitment to American seniors to protect these programs and those they serve. With our highest regards, Shirley Cressey Chair Committee on Aging City of El Cerrito Mark Guthrie Legislation Committee on Aging City of El Cerrito