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The Newsletter of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. Golden Chicago Seniors Train For New Housing Careers As part of its on-going commitment to secure greater economic opportunities for low-income senior citizens, NCBA initiated a training program to prepare 50 older workers in Chicago for new careers in housing management. The seven-month program began in October, and involves classroom learning as well as on-the-job training in all areas which relate to both public and private housing managements. All enrollees in the program are 55 years of age and older, and received minimum wage subsidies ($3.35) 20 hours per week. At the conclusion of the training, all enrollees will take the Institute for Real Estate Management's certification on examination to become Accredited Resident Managers or Candidates, and will be assisted in obtaining full-time or part-time employment as: housing managers, resident managers, management aides, rental clerks, social service coordinators, maintenance coordinators, or property inspectors. The Chicago effort is modeled after a successful pilot project in Washington, D.C. which concluded in July with the graduation of 16 managers, including one who was hired immediately at an annual salary of $15,000 plus a two bedroom apartment. Last year, J. Wesley Knight's income was $3,532. (The average income of all participants in Washington was $3,400.) As manager of George I Borger, Inc.'s 271-unit housing project in Alexandria, near Washington, HOUSING AFFAIRS LETTER observed that Knight "may earn enough his first year to pay back in income taxes what his U.S. subsidized training cost" the government. Frances Cephas, whose income was $5,000 now earns $6,000 and full benefits plus a free two-bedroom apartment as a Management Aide of NCBA Estates, a 174-unit senior citizen housing complex in Washington, D.C. owned and managed by NCBA. NCBA will extend the program soon, on a staggered basis, to six other cities. Tentatively chosen so far for the next phase are Cleveland, New York City, Miami, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Houston. "The unique feature of this program," Samuel J. Sim- Continued on next page '85: 15th Confab to Jackson, Miss. The 15th Annual Conference of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. will be held July 11-13, 1985 at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Jackson, Mississippi. The conference will feature workshop sessions for elderly consumers as well as professionals in aging services. On July 10, NCBA will conduct a tour of its housing and employment programs in Hernando, Mound Bayou, Mayersville and Jackson, Miss. Put these dates on your calendar and make your plans to be with us. Additional details will be in the February issue of this newsletter. Tax Counseling For the Elderly NCBA, in cooperation with the American Association of Retired Persons is seeking to expand its Tax Assistance to the Elderly. The purpose of the assistance is two-fold: 1. To help older persons who either cannot complete their tax returns, or who wish to learn how to fill them out. 2. To assure that elderly taxpayers are aware of the tax provisions under which Congress meant them to receive special benefits - such as those governing pensions, sale of home, and tax credit for the elderly. In most states, assistance is also available in filing state income tax returns, and with filing the special state and local forms designed to return money to low-income older persons. Help is also given regarding the recent taxation of Social Security benefits. NCBA is actively seeking help from its local chapters, affiliates, members and friends in recruiting volunteers to serve as tax counselors. In the communities selected, NCBA local chapters and affiliates will identify and recruit volunteer tax counselors who will be responsible for providing tax advice and the preparation of individual tax returns. Volunteer counselors should have some knowledge of the preparation of tax returns and be willing to participate in a five-hour training program. Each tax counselor must agree to provide four hours of service per week during the tax season. Volunteer tax counse- Continued on next page New Benefits for Members Enclosed with this newsletter is information on a valuable new hospital insurance plan for NCBA members (available in all states except KS, SC, and TX). Under this Hospital Income Plan, you can choose the amount of benefits you want - cash paid direct to you - for each day you are hospitalized for a covered accident or illness. These benefits are paid to you in addition to any other insurance plans you have. And best of all, your acceptance is guaranteed, regardless of your present state of health or age (through age 74 in some states). Even past medical conditions will be covered after the plan has been in effect for two years. Be sure to read all the details about this valuable coverage in the enclosed brochure and letter. Then be sure to act promptly so that you have this valuable protection before you should happen to need it. PAGE VOL. 1, NO. 1 PAGE 1 339
