"Together We Care Act" introduced by Rep. Nydia Velazaquez

This innovative bill (HR 4224) meets community needs for home care services for aging residents by targeting jobs to unemployed workers. In New York City, the proposal is supported by AARP and SEIU. Congratulations to Rep. Velazquez for her leadership in developing the bill..

Putting New Yorkers Back to Work

Velázquez introduces bill to increase job opportunities for public housing residents

NEW YORK – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today unveiled legislation to provide New York City’s public housing residents with the training and certification needed to secure new jobs. As the City’s unemployment rate remains above 10 percent, the Congresswoman is helping New Yorkers find work in home healthcare services. During a visit to the Bushwick Senior Center, she discussed how her bill would create 6,000 jobs in New York City alone, while simultaneously increasing assistance for thousands of senior and disabled tenants.

“This effort meets the needs of our community by helping to lift public housing residents out of poverty and providing care for those who need it most. We need to find creative, new ways to help New Yorkers get back to work, and this bill does just that,” said Congresswoman Velázquez.

The “Together We Care Act of 2009” establishes a three-year federal pilot training program specializing in home healthcare services. Public housing residents will be given the opportunity to receive home health services training from organizations certified by the state. Following certification, the newly trained aides would be matched with elderly or disabled individuals who are Medicaid-eligible. The legislation would provide the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with $2.5 billion per year to support the effort.

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Posted by Chuck Bell at 4:06 AM