May 8, 2008—New York State elected officials, family members of elderly residents at Atria Senior Living centers and advocates for seniors announced legislation today to protect assisted living tenants from unfair rent increases at a rally outside Atria West Side, the company’s flagship facility in Manhattan.

Residents’ families and workers have cited a number of wide-ranging concerns at Atria’s 24 facilities across New York, such as poor patient care, poverty wages and skyrocketing rent increases. Some residents at the Manhattan facility have reported paying rents up to $8,000 a month, with huge increases from year to year. In response, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal drafted legislation to force assisted living providers such as Atria to disclose to residents and potential residents past rent increases, and to notify current residents of the rationale for increases. Rosenthal and other local elected officials have received numerous complaints from residents and their families about sharp increases in rent.

"Atria residents in my district have experienced alarming, frequent increases over the last few years," said Assm. Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). "I have introduced a bill in the Assembly that would require assisted living and adult care facilities to disclose rate increases from the previous three years, and the reasons for those increases. These disclosures will be publicly available to current residents, prospective residents, and available online through the State Department of Health. When it comes to providing care and housing for our state's senior citizens, it is in the public interest to ensure that seniors and their families have all the information to make prudent and informed choices about living situations and financial stability."

"Because of the difficulties that moving presents to the frail elderly, residents of assisted living facilities—unlike most market-rate tenants—are largely captive to whatever rent increases their landlords impose," said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. "At the very least, prospective residents should know the history of rent increases at facilities they are considering, so they can make informed choices and plan ahead. That is why it is so crucial that Assm. Rosenthal’s legislation be passed into law."

"Elderly New Yorkers, particularly those whose health is failing, face difficult decisions about where to live," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.  "This legislation would give them the ability to look at past and present rent increases in assisted living facilities to help them make this critical choice about their future."

"The steep increases shoveled on residents in this facility and in some of the other adult care facilities across our state, who currently have no way of knowing about or anticipating such increases, are both excessive and dishonest to the senior citizens receiving these services," said Sen. Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan).  "I am confident that this legislation will go a long way towards increasing transparency, and will provide consumers the information they need to make decisions about their futures."  

"The well-being of our seniors, who through their long lives have contributed so much to our community and nation, is our first concern," said Council Member Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan). "We want to insure that they receive not only the best of care, but are able to live with dignity at a reasonable cost, and in an atmosphere that is not threatening or unsettled."

Atria is owned by an affiliate of Lazard Ltd., a powerhouse Wall Street firm that manages more than $140 billion. Lazard has been singled out by California residents and legislators as well for their management of Atria, and for questionable care standards and rent hikes across the country.

Find out more at www.improveassistedliving.org or www.behindthebuyouts.org.