22% surge in number of older homeless people ...

[left-of-center2012]

22% surge in number of older homeless people catches L.A. officials off guard

While L.A.’s overall homeless population dipped slightly, age group 62 and up shot up 22%, to nearly 5,000 people. A fall, a job loss or a medical crisis pushes them over the edge.

... the homeless service system is not linked to senior housing and programs, said Mike Neely, a former homeless commissioner who now sits on the L.A. County Commission for Older Adults.
Shelters are unsuitable for the frail and disabled, and emergency housing is focused on families going through a rough patch, who can recover financially and move on. Many older people live on fixed, limited incomes.

“How can you reasonably expect an individual who is damn near 80 years old to survive [shelters] … unless we have specialized facilities?” Mike Neely, a former homeless commissioner who now sits on the L.A. County Commission for Older Adults said. “We’re not targeting older homeless people for services.”

“How additionally terrifying is it to be homeless at such an advanced age?” L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “You can’t protect yourself.”

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-older-adults-20180719-story.html

[CountAllVotes]

1. Low-income housing

Its not of much use these days. The program was cut to hell and back during both the Clinton and Bush years.

The place I used to live in as a rental took both plain money and/or Section 8.

Today, that same place (and wow was it ever a dump!) is renting for $1100/mo.! This is in northern California.

There are two persons still living there on Section 8, both over the age if 65. The rest have left. New occupants pay $1100/mo. If it weren't for what is left of Section 8, both of the people I mention would likely be homeless as they have no family to go to.

& recommend!