Changes at "Housing Workshops for Older Adults"

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• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: There is an urgent need for older adult housing and helping them find out how to apply. Workshops and counselors would work with individuals to navigate the available older adult housing options.

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• Implementing Organization: Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation

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• Neighborhoods: Rockaway and Broad Channel

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• Funding Amount: $195,000

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The responses below are directly from the community organizations selected to implement The People’s Money projects.

How does your organization plan to bring this idea to life?

Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) will bring the H.O.P.E. (Housing Our Purposeful Elders) program to life by implementing a multifaceted, community-based model designed specifically for older adults in the Rockaways, particularly those living in NYCHA developments. This project will be delivered through a combination of onsite workshops, one-on-one navigation support, and accessible community outreach. Services will be delivered at two locations: the Ocean Bay Older Adult Center and Ocean Bay Main Office within ZIP codes 11691 to 11694. Programming will include housing education workshops, digital literacy training, financial wellness sessions, and housing resource pop-ups and will be conducted in person, with bilingual materials and interpretation provided in Spanish and Haitian Creole. OBCDC will also provide direct housing navigation support, including application assistance, credit checks, benefit screenings, and follow-ups, in partnership with Ariva. These services will be delivered by trained OBCDC staff and certified housing and financial counselors from Ariva and other trusted community partners. To ensure accessibility for residents with mobility, vision, or hearing impairments, OBCDC will offer large-print materials, magnifiers, screen readers, and virtual options with closed captioning or sign language interpretation. To reach underrepresented and hard-to-reach older adults, OBCDC will implement a culturally responsive outreach strategy that includes multilingual flyers, outreach calls and text messaging, in-person tabling, and engagement with churches, salons, bodegas, and other trusted community hubs. Community volunteers will assist with both outreach efforts and sustained engagement. By anchoring this program in trust, accessibility, and cultural relevance, OBCDC will ensure the H.O.P.E. program will serve as a meaningful pathway to housing stability for the older adults who need it most.

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

OBCDC was motivated to apply for this project due to our deep-rooted commitment to supporting older adults and public housing residents in the Rockaways who face persistent barriers to stable housing and essential services. OBCDC's proximity to the community and daily engagement with NYCHA tenants, including those living in Ocean Bay, Redfern, Hammels, Carleton Manor, Beach 41st, and Oceanside, positions us as a trusted, frontline provider for residents at risk of displacement or living in unstable conditions . We're uniquely qualified to lead this initiative because of our longstanding partnerships with NYCHA Resident Association Boards, our role as a 2025 HPD Housing Ambassador, and our multi-year track record working under HUD ROSS contracts. These programs have allowed OBCDC to deliver consistent housing support services, including rent arrears assistance, housing applications, and navigation support, while maintaining direct outreach at resident meetings and community events . Additionally, OBCDC brings strong partnerships that deepen our capacity to deliver high-quality, resident-centered services. Through our collaboration with Ariva, we provide free, one-on-one financial counseling that includes budgeting and money management, credit building and repair, debt reduction strategies, and savings plan development. Ariva also supports affordable housing readiness by offering housing education for prospective renters and homeowners, assistance with housing-related credit requirements, and guidance through NYC affordable housing applications. Moreover, our partnership with United Neighborhood Houses enhances our ability to offer emergency financial housing assistance, while our staff and community volunteers strengthen our on-the-ground engagement and follow-up capacity. Together, these resources are delivered through a culturally responsive approach supported by multilingual staff and adaptive accessibility tools, including large-print materials, magnifiers, and screen readers, ensuring that even the most vulnerable residents, including those with vision, mobility, or digital access barriers, are supported.

How do you think this project will make a difference in your community?

This project is essential because it directly responds to the housing and financial instability facing older adults in the Rockaways, residents who are often overlooked by traditional service systems. Many are aging in place without the tools or support to navigate a digital world. They face challenges such as limited mobility, low digital literacy, and difficulty completing critical tasks like scanning, uploading, or submitting documents online. This isolation from modern systems puts them at risk of housing insecurity, missed benefits, and financial exploitation.

The H.O.P.E. program meets older adults where they are by delivering services directly to them. By eliminating transportation barriers, utilizing OBCDC’s community van for free door-to-door rides, and providing one-on-one, in-person support, we ensure that residents receive timely, personalized assistance. Whether completing housing applications, accessing credit checks, printing documents, or enrolling in benefits, we make these vital services both accessible and human-centered.

Importantly, this program also helps safeguard older adults from serious threats like deed theft, credit scams, and predatory financial practices. Through our partnership with Ariva, residents will receive free financial counseling and tailored strategies to improve credit, manage debt, and build long-term stability. We’ll also connect homeowners to resources that improve safety and affordability, like energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization assistance, which are critical in a coastal area prone to flooding and extreme temperatures.

List at least one thing you're excited about related to this project!

We’re excited about educating and equipping older adults in the Rockaways with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their housing and financial futures. Through our educational workshops and one-on-one support, we look forward to seeing residents gain the knowledge, confidence, and support network to protect their homes, access critical resources, and advocate for themselves. We're especially excited to witness the transformation that happens when a resident who once felt overwhelmed by the system is able to independently complete a housing application, resolve a credit issue, or avoid a financial scam, small wins that lead to long-term stability and empowerment.

How can someone participate or stay up to date on the project?

Community members can learn more about the H.O.P.E. project by visiting our website, connecting with us on social media, or stopping by our Older Adult Center. We will also host informational sessions, distribute multilingual flyers, and conduct outreach through trusted partners and community spaces like churches, senior centers, adult day care providers, and NYCHA resident meetings.

Website: www.oceanbaycdc.com
Instagram: @oceanbaycdc1
Facebook: @oceanbaycdc
LinkedIn: @oceanbaycdc