Proudly Assisting The Seniors -PATS

Proudly Assisting The Seniors (PATS) is a new company. It was developed to provide financial assistance that supports the independence, health and well-being of seniors (age 60+) in the city of Detroit. Preference given to residents of North/Northwest Detroit. Many seniors struggle financially with rising housing and health care bills, inadequate nutrition, lack of access to transportation, diminished savings, and job loss. Our aim is to improve the quality of life and prevent suffering by helping low-income seniors who are experiencing financial hardships.

Detroit is a city with an extremely high poverty rate, nearly three times higher than the national average—roughly 35%. The child poverty rate is even higher, at more than 50%. The poverty rate among Detroit's seniors is considerably lower, with 20% living below the poverty line. 

In 2017, a study conducted by Detroit Area Agency on Aging and Wayne State University Medical School found about one in five older adults in Metro Detroit live in poverty, more than double the state rate. An additional 11,000 seniors are food insecure, according to the study.

Many seniors are living on limited incomes from sources that may include social security, a small pension or maybe some other form of government assistance. Among Detroit’s 11% senior population, 55% of senior households in Detroit earn less than $30,000 per year. 14% of Detroit senior households have an annual income of less than $10,000 and 37% less than $20,000. 27% of Detroit residents 60 and over received food stamps in the last year.  Source: Census.gov ACS (American Community Survey)

We intend to achieve the following changes in the community as a direct results of PATS:

1. Reduce the number of seniors by at least 25 that may become homeless because they can’t afford to pay their mortgage, rent, utilities (electric, gas, and water) or property taxes.
2. Prevent unnecessary hunger for those experiencing food insecurity by providing assistance to a minimum of 50% of seniors seeking assistance from PATS.
3. Ensure that 75% of seniors seeking assistance from PATS are not deprived of necessary healthcare by providing assistance with prescription medication, outstanding medical bills, office visits, co-pay deductibles, etc.
4. Provide a clothing allowance to at least 50 seniors, especially during the winter months, when there may be a greater need for warm items such as hats, gloves, booths, scarf, and a coat.
5. At least 80% of recipients (seniors) will complete counseling and budget development training.
6. At least three significant partnerships with similar nonprofits to pool resources and maximize services.

Recipients (low income seniors-60+) served by this project (Proudly Assisting The Seniors) will receive short-term limited financial assistance with things such as housing costs (rent, mortgages, utilities, and taxes), food, clothing, medical and transportation in order to help them remain active, healthy and living independently in their communities. Other services that will be provided may include counseling for recipients, as well as assistance with budget development. This project will be very beneficial to the seniors, as it helps them remain in and maintain their homes, avoid going hungry due to lack of food, and receive needed medical supplies.  The community will benefit by reducing residential vacancies, which may eventually lead to blight. Seniors remain in their homes and be contributing members of their community.  And the city of Detroit will benefit by having seniors contribute to the city’s revenue by paying their property taxes.

With this project, we seek funding to help low-income seniors who are experiencing financial hardships. Because we believe, no one should ever have to choose between having food to eat, paying the utility bill, the rent, or purchasing their vitally needed medicine, which many have indicated they have experienced.   

If we do nothing, nothing's going to change. We are attempting to do something to make a positive change in the lives of low-income seniors in the city of Detroit  who are experiencing financial hardships.