How a NYC Teen is Helping Chinese Seniors Navigate the Affordable Housing System

For low-income seniors with limited English and tech proficiency, navigating New York City's affordable housing systems is a challenge. To help, we must think beyond affordability.

1 minute read

November 21, 2025, 7:00 AM PST

By Shelterforce


Group of seniors doing tai chi in park in New York City.

Kits Pix / Shutterstock

In New York City, affordable housing systems often overlook immigrant seniors with limited English or digital literacy.

Tianli Cheng, an 11th-grade honors student and volunteer with the Asian Community Care Organization, shares firsthand insights from helping Chinese-speaking elders navigate housing applications.

Cheng calls for policy and system reforms—including multilingual communication, better funding for community groups, investment in senior housing repairs, and meaningful representation of immigrant seniors in policy design.

Friday, November 7, 2025 in Shelterforce Magazine

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