MARY LYNN KASUNIC President & CEO 1366 EAST THOMAS RD. SUITE 108 PHOENIX, AZ 85014 PHONE
Legislative Action: HB2379
(602) 264-2255
HB 2379, Cosponsored by Representatives A. Hernandez, Gress, C. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Martinez, Pena, Tsosie, and Wilmeth, recognizes the importance of funding the Area Agencies on Aging in FY 2026 at the same level funding in FY 2024. This bill appropriates $5 million to Area Agencies on Aging for Home and Community-Based Services and $5 million to support housing assistance directed by the Area Agencies on Aging.
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Home and Community-Based Services
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l-888-783-7500 24-HR Senior HELP LINE
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(602) 230-9132 www.aaaphx.org
Area Agencies on Aging strive to keep older adults and younger adults with physical disabilities in their homes as they age. It is estimated that 77% of people wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Home and community based services (HCBS) are critical to achieving this goal. HCBS includes adult day health, assistance with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, shopping, bed linen changing, laundry, caregiver respite, and home delivered meals. Area Agencies are extremely grateful for the $2 million of one-time funding appropriated in FY 2025. However, Area Agencies on Aging continue to be underfunded with a waiting list for home and community-based services of 1,847 statewide as of February 2025.
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COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION
Housing Assistance for Older Adults In Maricopa County, 50% of single adults who are homeless are 50 and older and half of those are homeless for the first time in their life. As of September 2024, there are 3,192 homeless older adults over 50. In state fiscal year 2024, the Arizona Legislature awarded the Area Agencies on Aging $5M to provide financial assistance to older adults struggling with housing costs. The Area Agency on Aging, Region One received $2.2M for Maricopa County. Using this funding, the Agency created the Homeless Intervention and Prevention© (HIP) program to assist Maricopa County residents age 60 and older with rent, mortgage, utility and property tax assistance as well as moving costs. The Area Agency HIP program has been in operation for over 15 months. So far, 730 clients have had 1,114 cases meet the requirements for the program and received an average assistance of $1,747/client. The most common reasons HIP clients sought intervention and assistance are: unexpected expenses like (medical bills, family emergencies, funeral expenses, car/home repairs, and moving expenses); rent increases; low income; and job loss or reduced income. With most HIP clients receiving eviction or utility cut-off notices, clearly the HIP Program is a demonstrated successful homelessness prevention program.
Area Agency on Aging Benefits Assistance Care Directions® DOVES® ElderVention® Family Caregiver Support Mosaic® Elder Refugee Ombudsman Senior HELP LINE
2025 Annual Report Answers in Aging