Amid growing 'scandal' of elder homelessness, health care groups aim to help
7 days ago
- #elderly-homelessness
- #healthcare-housing
- #PACE-program
- Elder homelessness is increasing, with 1 in 5 homeless individuals in 2024 being 55 or older.
- Health care organizations like PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) are stepping in to address housing needs for older adults.
- PACE organizations, funded by Medicaid and Medicare, provide comprehensive care to keep frail seniors in their homes but now face housing challenges.
- Many older homeless individuals are new to homelessness due to factors like the death of a spouse, job loss, or rising housing costs.
- Federal budget cuts to Medicaid and the halt of job training programs for low-income seniors exacerbate the crisis.
- PACE programs are partnering with housing providers and even building their own housing to address the shortage.
- Examples include PACE Southeast Michigan leasing housing and converting shipping containers into affordable homes, and St. Paul's PACE in San Diego supporting chronically homeless individuals.
- Roberta Rabinovitz, an 82-year-old widow, found housing through PACE Rhode Island after becoming homeless.
- PACE Rhode Island plans to buy its own housing due to increasing homelessness among participants.