The proposed funding shift could lead to more than 400,000 fewer meals each year to the county\u2019s older adults who rely on the programs \u2014 not including numbers from the city of L.A. That\u2019s equivalent to roughly 1,500 fewer meals every day.<\/p>\n
Catherine Schneider, with Jewish Family Service L.A.<\/a>, which is part of the coalition, told LAist the funding shift moves money away from the oldest, most vulnerable adults in major urban areas.<\/p>\n \u201cMany of [our seniors] have to choose between, do I pay my rent? Do I pay my medical bills? Or do I pay for food? That’s the current reality, that’s our starting place,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cSo when we make cuts to the meals that they are receiving, then you’re going to see a further spike in homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n The lunch for the day was delivered on trays along with cups of water to each older adult.<\/p>\n In the city of L.A., the number of people aged 65 and older experiencing homelessness jumped more than 17% in a year, and more than 36% in two years, according to annual point-in-time counts<\/a>.<\/p>\n How would it work?<\/p>\n The proposal would update the intrastate funding formula, which supports local services and targets areas with the greatest needs, according to officials.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been about 30 years since the formula was updated, all while the state\u2019s older adult population has dramatically changed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it was high time that we did this review and we ensure that the dollars are reaching the communities that need them most,\u201d Nicole Shimosaka, chief deputy director with the state Department of Aging, said during a webinar Wednesday.<\/p>\n The proposed funding formula would collectively cut about $5.5 million<\/a> from L.A. city and county. That\u2019s a 23% drop \u2014 11% for the county and 12% for the city.<\/p>\n Several counties with more rural populations, on the other hand, would see an increase:<\/p>\n Nevada County would be an 89% increase, or about $775,000 moreAmador County would see a 72% jump, or about $360,000 morePlumas County would get 37% more, or about $160,000Mariposa County would see a 34% increase, or $126,000 more<\/p>\n What do state officials say about the proposal?<\/p>\n Newsom\u2019s office referred LAist\u2019s request for comment to the state Department of Finance, which said there were \u201cextensive\u201d conversations with stakeholders ahead of the proposal.<\/p>\n It also noted that the proposal wouldn\u2019t be fully implemented for a few more years, “allowing time \u2026 to adjust and prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging, said officials have been asked at the state and federal level to take a \u201cfresh look\u201d at the formula to make sure it reflects the needs of older adults.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know these conversations are important to local communities, which is why stakeholder engagement has remained central throughout this process,\u201d DeMarois said in an email. \u201cAt the end of the day, our goal is to support a stronger aging network that can continue helping older Californians stay healthy, connected, and supported in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Names to the numbers<\/p>\n Dozens of older adults filed into a senior center in L.A.\u2019s Fairfax Village neighborhood on a weekday morning for a free hot meal, access to exercise equipment and to catch up with friends.<\/p>\n Mariana Jimenez, who lives in West Hollywood and comes to the center everyday to eat, snacked on slices of cantaloupe while staff passed out lunch trays.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to come in for many years more,\u201d she told LAist. \u201cThis is very healthy for me to come every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Mariana Jimenez has been coming to the center every day for years. She said she enjoys the hot lunches and dancing activities on Fridays.<\/p>\n Frank McRae, 82, takes two buses to get to the senior center almost every weekday for meals. McRae doesn\u2019t have a stove or complete kitchen at home, which he said makes the \u201cexcellent quality\u201d and \u201cconsistent\u201d lunches more important.<\/p>\n Without the group meal program, McRae said the \u201cgalloping cost of food \u2026 would really be a hardship.\u201d He knows by heart how much the cost of meat, cheese, soups and other staples have risen recently at almost every grocery store in the area.<\/p>\n \u201cThis center is keeping people alive, it’s keeping people thriving,\u201d he said. “It’s giving people hope, it’s giving them outlets.\u201d<\/p>\n Frank McRae, 82, used to take three to four buses to get to the center several times a week. He enjoys the meals, gym access and doing research in the computer room.<\/p>\n How could it affect L.A.?<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Coalition for Aging, which includes organizations like the Los Angeles LGBT Center<\/a> and Meals on Wheels West,<\/a> collectively serves thousands of older adults and caregivers in the county\u2019s diverse communities.<\/p>\n The Little Tokyo Service Center<\/a>, another member of the coalition, assists more than 5,000 people so older adults can live independently as long as possible.<\/p>\n Peter Gee, co-executive director, said there isn\u2019t enough funding for older adult services to begin with, and the proposed shift would be cutting millions from an already limited pool.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, it would be more older adults and their caregivers that would be going hungry,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot more people that would be facing isolation, a lot more people that would be experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780057335_859_.jpeg\")
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