In an effort to combat the spike in homelessness among older citizens, San Diego County officials have given the green light to a novel housing initiative. According to a recent report by County News Center, the County Board of Supervisors approved a pilot program aimed at creating homeshare arrangements that pair income-constrained seniors with residents who have extra space in their homes.
The urgency of this program is underscored by data from the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, indicating a distressing 29% surge in homelessness among adults aged 55 and older compared to the previous year, a dilemma that this plan hopes to tackle by facilitating at least 50 matches between seniors and accommodating households.
Key to this arrangement, as detailed by County News Center, is the affordability aspect, with eligible older adults paying no more than 30% of their monthly income toward rent; in some cases, the situation may allow for a service exchange in lieu of financial rent, tasks such as gardening or cleaning can be provided by the senior as means to offset the cost of their accommodation.
David Estrella, director of County Housing and Community Development Services, identified the issue and predicament facing these older adults living on a fixed income – acknowledging their vulnerability within the unforgiving housing market, the program will also offer additional services to help seniors remain housed, ensuring they don't slip through the widening cracks of the housing crisis.
The program is set to launch in the early summer of 2024 and will be backed by a diverse range of outreaches throughout the senior services and homeless communities. Also, information about applying to participate in this program is expected to be available in the looming weeks for those seeking assistance or looking to offer their spare rooms.
An ambitious yet fundamental component of the county's strategy to mitigate the regional housing crisis is aligning the pilot program with the County's Housing Blueprint. Over the past few years, the County has pumped more than $279 million into affordable housing ventures which have nearly 1,800 units already open and an additional 3,265 units on the way, all of which aim to contribute to the overarching goal of providing homes for around 21,000 individuals through the creation of over 9,500 affordable housing units as the developments reach fruition.
