As the number of older adults facing homelessness grows in the United States, a recent study in Ohio delivers a speck of hope in the persistent struggle for affordable housing. A study conducted by the Age-Friendly Innovation Center (AFIC) at The Ohio State University, in collaboration with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA), found that providing modest rental subsidies to older adults could greatly enhance their quality of life and reduce healthcare costs. According to federal data, individuals over 50 are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness, and rental prices are a significant culprit.
In an effort to confront this issue, AFIC initiated a pilot study in the past two years, offering older renters "shallow subsidies." These subsidies are not deep-pocket changes, but they made a world of difference to participants, as described by Marisa Sheldon, AFIC’s director, in a statement obtained by The Ohio State University News. She emphasized the importance of older adults paying less than 30% of their income on housing, a goal far removed from the reality for many.
Participants selected for the study were typically spending over half of their earnings on rent. Split randomly, the group that received monthly subsidies of $330 reported improved ability to meet basic needs. One participant expressed the palpable relief: "Before this, I was deciding between toilet paper and soap. I couldn’t go without toilet paper, so I went without soap. Now I can afford them both," according to a The Ohio State University News interview.
Katie Calhoun, an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, further elucidated how the subsidy helped counter social isolation, a factor with a "huge impact on health." She remembered one person who used to relish outings to the Golden Corral with friends, but was unable to continue once prices were hiked. Such small yet significant recreational losses were restored with the aid of the subsidy. Interestingly, the emergency department saw a significant fall in visits from the subsidized group, from 75% to 20%, highlighting, as Sheldon pointed out, potential large-scale implications for healthcare systems.
The findings of this small study not only paint a picture of optimism but also hint at a broader application that could span the entire nation. Sheldon and Calhoun have their sights set on working with national Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to use their research in advocating for federal changes to alleviate housing insecurity and homelessness. Calhoun said, "We’re hoping that this research and evidence we’re building will support folks across the country," in conversation with The Ohio State University News. Sheldon credits Calhoun's housing expertise as crucial to the study and sees the broader implications for improving various aspects of community life for older individuals, signifying a potential ripple effect that could transform how society supports its aging population.
