Organizational Advocacy

Serving Seniors is not only committed to providing the services and support older adults need to thrive. We are also committed to preserving and expanding the infrastructures that make these services and supports possible.

Our advocacy team leverages the expertise and lived experiences of our staff and seniors to ensure the public stays informed and involved when it comes to the needs of low-income seniors. Our advocacy includes:

 

Serving Seniors Policy Priorities

Serving Seniors works to ensure that older adults—particularly those living on fixed incomes—have access to the basic resources they need to remain healthy, independent, and housed.

As the population ages and the cost of living continues to rise, thoughtful policy solutions are essential to address the growing affordability crisis facing older adults.

  • Strengthen Nutrition Programs for Older Adults

    Access to nutritious food is essential for health, independence, and quality of life. For many older adults living on limited incomes, community meal programs are the most reliable source of healthy food.

    We advocate for:

    • Reauthorization and increased federal funding for the Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition programs
    • Expanded state and local investments in home-delivered and congregate meal programs
    • Funding that keeps pace with rising food and operational costs
       
  • Ensure Housing Stability Through Shallow Rental Subsidies

    Many seniors live on fixed incomes that cannot keep up with rising housing costs. Even modest rental assistance can help older adults remain safely housed.

    We advocate for:

    • Expansion of shallow rental subsidy programs for low-income seniors
    • Increased funding for rental assistance targeted to older adults
    • Implementation of a statewide shallow rental subsidy program
       
  • Expand and Preserve Affordable Housing for Older Adults

    Safe, stable housing is the foundation for healthy aging. As the population ages, the demand for affordable senior housing continues to grow.

    We advocate for:

    • Investment in the development of affordable housing for older adults
    • Expansion of financing tools such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and housing bonds
    • Rehabilitation of existing units of affordable senior housing
    • Preservation and expansion of Permanent Supportive Housing for older adults experiencing homelessness
    • Increased access to Section 8 Vouchers and other rental assistance programs
       
  • Advance Age-Friendly Shelter Systems

    Older adults experiencing homelessness often face unique challenges related to health, mobility, and safety. Shelter systems and crisis response programs must be equipped to address the specific needs of aging populations.

    We advocate for:

    • Age-friendly design and accessibility standards in shelters and temporary housing
    • Increased access to case management and supportive services for older adults
    • Training for shelter staff on aging-related needs and trauma-informed care
    • Shelter environments that accommodate mobility limitations, chronic health conditions, and safety concerns
    • Stronger coordination between homeless services systems and aging services providers
       
  • Address the Cost-of-Living Crisis Facing Older Adults

    Many seniors live on fixed incomes that have not kept pace with rising costs for housing, food, healthcare, and other essential needs.

    We advocate for:

    • Policies that address the growing affordability gap for seniors
    • Investments that help seniors remain healthy, independent, and economically secure
    • Expanded access to transportation, healthcare, and supportive services
    • Solutions that recognize the unique financial challenges faced by low-income older adults
       
  • Improve Access to Essential Benefits for Older Adults

    Many seniors qualify for programs that can help them remain healthy and financially stable, but barriers in application systems and lack of awareness often prevent them from receiving the support they need.

    We advocate for:

    • Expanding outreach and enrollment assistance for programs such as SNAP, Medicare, and Medi-Cal
    • Protecting and strengthening Social Security
    • Expanding access to energy assistance programs such as LIHEAP
    • Strengthening partnerships between community organizations and public agencies
    • Investing in benefits counseling and case management to help seniors navigate complex systems
       

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SERVING SENIORS' SENIOR HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING INITIATIVE

Addressing homelessness is a top priority across the nation, including within the City of San Diego and our County.  In recent years, Serving Seniors has noticed an alarming increase in the number of our clients who are experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness.   Our Senior Housing and Homelessness Initiative is a responsive effort to try and capitalize on the momentum within our community to better serve San Diego’s low-income seniors.  Our first step towards this goal is a local needs assessment to capture the insights and experiences of older adults and homeless service providers.
For details on Serving Seniors’ Senior Housing and Homelessness Initiative, click here.
 

Why Advocate for Seniors?

Everyone is affected by aging policy, whether by financially supporting programs through tax dollars, utilizing aging programs themselves, or acting as a caregiver to an elderly friend and family member. By advocating on behalf of seniors, you can help create an age-friendly community that helps older adults thrive and reduces the financial strain on the community as a whole.

Here are something things you can do today to help advocate for the needs of low-income seniors:

  • Schedule a meeting with an elected official or community leader
  • Call, email or send a letter to an elected official or community leader
  • Get educated about the issues
  • Join our Full Plate Club to provide life-sustaining support for seniors