SAN JOSE, Calif. – Older Californians are becoming homeless faster than any other age group, advocates told a state commission this month, warning that the state’s housing system is failing people who often need more support than a shelter can provide but do not belong in hospitals or nursing homes.
People with the common issues of aging – chronic medical conditions, cognitive decline, mobility limitations or physical disabilities – can face significant delays in the search for permanent housing, said Genelle Cazares, the chief executive officer of Sacramento-based El Hogar Community Services.
Older adults looking to leave a shelter often need a level of support that falls somewhere between independent living and institutional care, she said…