HOMELESS SENIORS ISSUE GROWS

Downtown San Diego center that once provided activities for those in need largely quiet during COVID-19 era

A recent report that shows a high number of homeless people living outdoors or in shelters was alarming but not surprising to Paul Downey.

“It doesn’t get a lot of talk, but the fact is that a significant cohort of the homeless population is now seniors,” said Downey, president and CEO of Serving Seniors. “We’re seeing this around the country.”

In September, the Regional Task Force on the Homeless released an annual report that showed 27 percent of people on the street and 24 percent in shelters were 55 years old or older. Of those seniors who were not in shelters, 55 percent said they had a physical disability and half said they had a chronic health condition.

Downey said it’s time cities take steps to help homeless seniors, with the first being to get them off the street. That hasn’t always been easy, however, because many seniors are reluctant to go to conventional shelters, he said.

“It’s a tough place for them,” he said. “They’re vulnerable. They’re physically afraid. There’s safety concerns.”

While permanent housing is the ultimate goal, Downey said he would like San Diego to do a better job accommodating seniors who need shelters. One idea is to open a shelter that would specifically serve from 180 to 240 seniors, a plan he acknowledges could take years to realize. A faster and more-likely scenario could be to set aside 25 perSEE SENIORS • B5

“... A significant cohort of the homeless population is now seniors.”

Paul Downey • president and CEO of Serving Seniors

KRISTIAN CARREON PHOTOS Supervisor Kathleen Montgomery hands food to a client at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center in San Diego on Oct. 14. Nonprofit organization Serving Seniors serves meals and provides services to seniors experiencing poverty in San Diego.

A room that used to host meetings, classes and other activities is now filled with pallets containing food boxes ready for delivery.