Homeless Older Adults Strategic Plan
Our contribution may rest with the finding that homelessness among the 3,000 to 4,000 older adults (62 and up) in Los Angeles County can be solved, as well as the novelty of describing their characteristics. For that alone, there is value in “uncovering” the identity of a group that has never before been the focus of public policy in Los Angeles County. Yet, this plan has merits that reach farther than the data.
This plan is the first synthesis of information from site visits across the country, the feedback and perceptions of a multitude of stakeholders responsible for programs that serve this population, and more importantly, the opinions and experiences of homeless older adults themselves. Every plan needs its champion and Shelter Partnership is committed over the next several years to leading this effort on behalf of older homeless adults. We will do this by advocating, convening, and helping to develop the infrastructure to ensure that this neglected population is provided permanent, supportive housing. In the end, three themes emerged that transcended all of our planning: (1) there is a pervasive lack of public focus on homeless older adults; (2) homeless older adults in Los Angeles have unique characteristics and needs; and (3) permanent supportive housing is the housing choice best suited for their needs. The following represents a distillation of the plan’s findings through expanded narratives on each of these three themes. Each discussion serves to remind us of the urgency of tackling this issue and the tremendous work that awaits.
