SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Commission on Aging is calling attention to a growing housing crisis among older adults after hosting a statewide hearing focused on supportive housing and homelessness.
The June 11 hearing, titled “Nowhere to Go: Addressing the Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians,” brought together representatives from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, county offices, and people with lived experience to discuss barriers and potential solutions for older adults facing homelessness.
According to the commission, Californians age 50 and older are the fastest-growing age group experiencing homelessness. A 2023 report from the University of California, San Francisco, found that nearly half of all single adults experiencing homelessness were at least 50 years old, compared to 11% in 1990.
Commission leaders said older adults often face additional challenges securing housing, including limited income, housing discrimination, and age-related health issues.
The hearing examined gaps in supportive housing programs, funding challenges, and policy options aimed at helping older adults find stable housing. The commission plans to release a report and policy recommendations based on the discussion to help strengthen homelessness prevention and response efforts across California.
The California Commission on Aging serves as the state’s principal advocacy body for older adults and advises state leaders on issues affecting California’s aging population.