Spotlight
Meet Sara Neitzel
Senior Policy Analyst for Housing
Describe your role with LeadingAge New York?
As the policy analyst for housing I act as LeadingAge New York’s contact for information
on independent senior housing. In this role, I work with our subsidized housing
members and track, analyze and comment on legislation, regulations and trends on the
State and Federal level that will affect senior housing.
Why did this position interest you?
The need for independent and affordable senior housing is growing. As the baby boomer
generation ages, their housing needs must be addressed. We are close to confronting a senior
housing crisis in this country. We know from demonstration projects and evidence-based
research that a housing plus services model is an effective, cost-conscious model that allows
seniors to age in place. We have yet to see an adequate investment in this housing model,
and are faced with the lack of will or interest to develop this housing at the Federal level. I
was interested in this position because it allows me the opportunity to try to affect change,
and work towards ensuring that New York’s senior population is guaranteed safe, decent and
affordable housing.
How does your education and experience inform this role?
I believe that my education and experience provide me with a unique perspective on senior
housing. Having a dad who, as an architect, specialized in special needs housing – particularly
senior housing – and a mom who worked to develop supportive housing for individuals who
experienced homelessness, I can honestly say I grew up with an interest in housing.
My undergraduate degree in political science at the University at Albany convinced me that
I wanted to help people in whatever career I chose to pursue. This led me to Albany Law
School where I graduated with my juris doctorate degree in 2012.
For my first job out of law school, I worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society
of Northeastern New York, and specialized in New York State housing, foreclosure
and landlord/tenant law. While there, I represented clients who were facing eviction or
foreclosure, working to ensure that their rights were being protected and that they had a safe
place to call home every night. Following my tenure at the Legal Aid Society, I worked as
Associate Counsel for the New York State Assembly’s Democratic Conference Committees
on Housing and Aging. Through my work with those committees, I saw first-hand how
successful a model of housing enriched with services could be. At LeadingAge, I hope to use
this experience to contribute to the success of making housing plus services the model for
senior housing.
Describe your vision of affordable senior housing in New York
ten years in the future.
In ten years, I hope that the housing plus services model has been embraced and
adequately funded.
What can you bring to the new role that is unique?
I believe that the insights I gained from working directly with individuals in subsidized
housing provide me with a very real perspective of exactly what is at stake if more affordable
senior housing is not developed.
What would surprise people about you?
I was a synchronized swimmer for eleven years, and have been coaching for twelve years.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy hiking with my dog and learning how to bake.
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Summer 2017