The Emerging Role of Healthcare Providers as Housing Advocates: A Looming Crisis for Seniors
One in five Americans experiencing homelessness in 2024 was 55 or older – a figure that’s risen 6% in just one year. This isn’t a housing problem; it’s a healthcare crisis in disguise. As rising costs and dwindling support systems leave a growing number of seniors vulnerable, healthcare organizations are being forced to step outside their traditional roles and become housing advocates, a trend that’s poised to reshape the future of elder care.
The Perfect Storm: Why Seniors Are Facing a Housing Emergency
Roberta Rabinovitz’s story – a widow navigating homelessness after caring for loved ones and battling cancer – is becoming increasingly common. A confluence of factors is driving this surge in senior homelessness. Many, like Rabinovitz, find themselves on fixed incomes struggling with soaring rents and property taxes. Others are new to the experience, pushed over the edge by unexpected events like the death of a spouse, job loss, or a debilitating illness. As Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, points out, “No one imagines anybody living on the street at 75 or 80, but they are.”
Compounding the problem is a demographic shift. A significant portion of the current older homeless population came of age during economic downturns, never achieving financial stability. This group, born between 1955 and 1965, often experienced intermittent homelessness throughout their lives, and aging only exacerbates their vulnerabilities. Furthermore, recent policy changes, such as cuts to Medicaid and the halting of job training programs for low-income seniors, threaten to worsen the situation, creating what Yolanda Stevens of the National Alliance to End Homelessness calls a “perfect storm.”
PACE Programs Lead the Charge: Innovative Solutions to a Complex Problem
Traditionally focused on providing comprehensive medical care to frail seniors, organizations like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are now recognizing that healthcare is inextricably linked to housing. You can learn more about the PACE model here. PACE programs, funded by Medicare and Medicaid, aim to keep seniors living independently at home, but that’s impossible without a stable place to live.
Across the country, PACE organizations are pioneering innovative solutions. PACE Southeast Michigan partners with senior housing providers to ensure affordability, while PACE Rhode Island is planning to purchase its own housing facilities. In Detroit, a creative project is underway to convert shipping containers into affordable housing units. These initiatives demonstrate a willingness to think outside the box and address the root causes of senior homelessness.
Beyond PACE: Hospitals and Healthcare Systems Investing in Housing
The trend extends beyond PACE programs. Hospitals and healthcare systems in cities like Denver, New Orleans, and New York City are also investing in housing, recognizing the significant impact of housing stability on patient health outcomes. Providing stable housing reduces emergency room visits, lowers healthcare costs, and improves overall quality of life for vulnerable populations.
The Future of Healthcare: Housing as a Core Component of Care
This shift represents a fundamental change in how we approach healthcare. The traditional siloed model, where healthcare providers focus solely on medical treatment, is proving inadequate in addressing the complex needs of an aging population. The future of healthcare will require a more holistic approach, one that recognizes housing as a fundamental determinant of health.
However, the long-term sustainability of these efforts remains uncertain. Continued cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs could undermine the progress made by PACE organizations and other healthcare providers. Addressing this crisis will require a concerted effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to prioritize affordable housing and support services for seniors.
What innovative solutions do you see as most promising for addressing the growing housing crisis among older adults? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
