News Summary
In response to increasing homelessness among seniors, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and the Lucky Duck Foundation are investing $700,000 to expand the ‘Seniors Safe at Home’ program. This funding will support an additional 25 seniors at risk of homelessness, providing essential financial assistance for rent. Managed by the San Diego Housing Commission, the program offers monthly subsidies tailored to participants’ income levels. Given the rising number of older individuals experiencing homelessness, this initiative is crucial for ensuring housing security and providing necessary services.
San Diego – In response to increasing homelessness among older residents, two private organizations, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and the Lucky Duck Foundation, are investing a total of $700,000 to expand the “Seniors Safe at Home” program. This initiative aims to support seniors at risk of homelessness by providing essential financial assistance.
Previously, the “Seniors Safe at Home” program assisted 36 individuals, but with the new funding, it can now support an additional 25 participants. The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation contributed $100,000, while the significant majority of the funding, $600,000, came from the Lucky Duck Foundation.
Participants in the program receive monthly subsidies ranging from $250 to $750, tailored to their income levels, intended to help cover their rent expenses. The program is managed by the San Diego Housing Commission, which ensures that participants also have access to case management and employment services offered by the nonprofit Serving Seniors.
Launched in September 2023 with an initial $500,000 investment from the Lucky Duck Foundation, the “Seniors Safe at Home” program specifically targets seniors living on fixed incomes, who have been severely affected by rising inflation and increasing housing costs.
According to the most recent homeless count, there are currently 1,657 individuals over the age of 55 experiencing homelessness in San Diego County, which represents 29% of all unsheltered people. The expansion of this program is crucial, especially as federal funding for homelessness prevention is declining.
Costs associated with sheltering individuals can exceed $40,000 per year when factoring in medical expenses, whereas the annual cost of keeping seniors housed through the “Seniors Safe at Home” program is significantly lower, estimated between $4,000 to $6,000 per person.
This new funding ensures the program will remain operational for approximately one-and-a-half to two years. However, program advocates are appealing for public donations to maintain and potentially expand the services offered.
There is a growing need for prevention initiatives like “Seniors Safe at Home,” evidenced by the thousands of applications submitted for a separate rental aid initiative in San Diego County. The current political landscape poses challenges, including spiking homelessness rates and government budget deficits, complicating the pursuit of additional funding for these essential programs.
In a recent development, California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a $25.8 million state funding allocation designated for supportive homelessness programs in San Diego, which is pending approval from the city council. San Diego has successfully secured state funding through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) for six consecutive years, which has been instrumental in supporting these services.
Over the past year, HHAP and other city-funded programs have provided vital assistance to more than 4,200 individuals in shelters and aided nearly 2,700 people in finding permanent housing solutions. Recent measures have also been implemented to ensure accountability for communities receiving state funding, enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness.
The broader issue of homelessness highlights a crucial turning point in funding strategies, as it becomes increasingly recognized that traditional funding approaches have often been ineffective. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions that focus on practical outcomes and sustainable support for vulnerable populations, particularly seniors in crisis.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
El Cajon’s Rising Homeless Population Amid Countywide Declines
San Diego County Reports 7% Decrease in Homelessness
California Faces Economic Challenges Amid Housing Decline
Additional Resources
- CBS 8: Seniors Safe at Home Expansion
- Governing: Homelessness Programs Cuts in San Diego County
- Fox 5 San Diego: Pilot Program for Homeless Veterans
- NBC San Diego: California Program Funding for Homelessness
- LA Times: Gavin Newsom’s Budget for Homelessness
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
