Across Central Ohio, older adults are facing new and rising levels of housing instability. Rents are climbing faster than fixed incomes and affordable housing construction is lagging far behind community needs. This means older adults are more “rent burdened” than ever, spending unsustainable portions of their income on housing—often 75% or more. Many Central Ohioans are encountering housing insecurity for the first time in their 50s, 60s, or even later. The same is holding true for seniors across the country.
There’s a potential solution being tested right here: a groundbreaking new initiative spearheaded by Central Ohio leaders and community advocates recently piloted a simple and promising safety-net solution: providing selected seniors with some $300 a month in rental support for one year.
The results were startling: participants saw significant improvements in financial stability, access to food and social activities, and far fewer emergency department visits. There were improvements in mental health – especially important considering that older adults—particularly older white men—are at higher risk for suicide. Financial instability is a major trigger of mental health crises, but the pilot program’s early results have shown that even modest levels of rental assistance can be life‑saving…