Key Takeaways
- Adults aged 50 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the population experiencing homelessness in the United States, and this crisis falls disproportionately on Black, African American, and Indigenous communities — making data-driven, equity-centered action more urgent than ever.
- This toolkit provides Continuums of Care, local governments, and health and housing providers with adaptable tools — from stakeholder mapping and data analysis to asset mapping and capacity building — to assess community need and close gaps in care for older adults experiencing homelessness.
- By combining qualitative and quantitative data, including HMIS records, electronic health records, and managed care data, communities can build a clear picture of local needs and leverage existing resources to advocate for targeted health and housing solutions for older adults experiencing homelessness.
This toolkit is designed to guide stakeholders seeking a data-driven understanding of the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness in their community. The materials also provide a roadmap for conducting a scan of the existing resources and assets that can be leveraged to meet the health and housing needs of this population.
The content within this toolkit is the culmination of a process designed and led in partnership with the California Health Care Foundation, Community Solutions, HC2 Strategies, and Kerry Abbott to illuminate the needs of this population within Sacramento City and County, CA, as well as the extant assets and resource gaps to support older adults experiencing homelessness in getting their healthcare and housing needs met.
This toolkit is designed for Continuums of Care, local governments, physical and behavioral healthcare providers, and housing and service providers seeking to collaborate to meet the needs of aging adults. We recognize that each community has its own nuances, unique policy landscape, levels of collaboration, and system(s) strengths. Still, there are tools enclosed that can be adapted for use in a project designed to understand the need, leverage current resources and advocate for additional resources to address the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness in any locale.
