Economics lead to senior homelessness

by Gary Warth

While this year’s point-in-time count revealed positive signs on many fronts, homelessness among seniors 55 and older, however, saw little change.

According to the Point-in-Time Count administered by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH), the number of seniors living without shelter was down overall by just 1% from last year, and 48% of seniors were experiencing homelessness for the first time, up 5% from last year.

The count also shows the number of seniors living in vehicles increased by 3% and the number of female seniors living without shelter was up 2%.

“It’s not surprising to me that there hasn’t been a significant change with older adults experiencing homelessness, and it’s not a surprise that more and more are experiencing it for the first time,” said Melinda Forstey, president and CEO of Serving Seniors.

Forstey said seniors typically fall into homelessness because of economic issues that result from a variety of challenges such as a loss of a job or spouse, increased rent or medical emergencies.

Melinda Forstey, president and CEO of Serving Seniors

“This is really the trend that we’ve seen over the last several years,” she said. “It’s truly economic for most of the seniors that we’re serving. Our case managers are seeing it more and more, and it’s just because of increased rents on a fixed income.”

In a positive sign, Forstey said Serving Seniors has seen success with its shallow subsidy program, which more cities are adopting as a way of helping seniors stay in their homes.

“We’ve really been trying to elevate the advocacy of shallow rental subsidy programs,” she said. “We’re able to serve three to four times as many individuals through those because it is a lesser subsidy, but yet it’s still enabling folks to stay housed and independent.”

Through a partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission and the Lucky Duck Foundation, hundreds of seniors receive subsidies of between $250 and $750 a month to help pay rent and make ends meet.

“It makes a huge difference,” Forstey said. “Even if it’s just $500 a month, that frees up money for them to buy food, pay for medications and transportation.”

Seniors receiving the subsidies on average had paid 67% of their income on rent, and now pay 38%, she said.

San Diego County launched its shallow subsidy program in 2022 and Serving Seniors received a grant for the program in Chula Vista the same year. La Mesa announced its own shallow subsidy program earlier this year.

Forstey said one-time rental assistance also can help seniors make ends meet or stay housed.

“In terms of the need, I think it would be in the thousands of older adults,” she said about the number of people in the county who could benefit from assistance. “It’s going to get harder and harder for older adults on fixed incomes.”

Looking more broadly at the issue, Forstey said creative housing solutions and more affordable housing for seniors also will be crucial in preventing senior homelessness.

Gary Warth is the director of government relations, policy and communications for RTFH.

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