Sept 26: Failure by Governor Newsom to Sign SB37 Is Lost Opportunity to Address Homelessness in California
September 26, 2024 – Serving Seniors CEO Paul Downey expressed disappointment in California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto Senate Bill 37, the Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities Housing Stability Act.
Similar to pilot programs currently in place at both the City and County of San Diego, SB 37 would have established a statewide pilot program providing shallow rental subsidies for at-risk older and disabled individuals.
In introducing the legislation last year, State Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) pointed to the growing need for assistance for this population, citing the Serving Seniors Needs Assessment.
“The decision not to move forward with SB 37 is a lost opportunity to make real progress reducing homelessness. Instead, the state will continue to spend money on encampment cleanups which do not provide a lasting solution,” said Downey.
“In San Diego and in numerous other communities across the United States, shallow subsidy programs have proven to be an effective tool in preventing older adult homelessness.
“Now, this approach needs to be taken to scale to shift the current thinking about solutions to our homelessness crisis in the state. Prevention is less costly than any other solution, and it is the right thing to do morally as well as fiscally,” added Downey
The Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities Housing Stability Act would have established a three-year Rent Stabilization Fund starting in 2025 to provide subsidies to help older adults and people with disabilities afford fair market rate rent and transition to permanent housing assistance programs including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
Similar programs have proven successful in Kings County, Washington; Oakland, California; the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Salvation Army, which has prioritized 20% of its funding to adults age 55 and older.
Joining Serving Seniors advocating for SB 37 were Justice in Aging, the San Diego Housing Commission, United Way, AARP, and the Cities of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Alameda, Fresno and San Francisco.
In San Diego’s two local pilot programs addressing prevention of older adult homelessness, both offer small monthly stipends to avoid evictions instead of struggling to shelter people after the fact.
Not only can this approach provide a more humane solution, but it saves money. Compare the cost of a proposed $500 monthly subsidy with emergency shelter operating costs of between $2,500 to $6,000 per person monthly, depending on the type of services offered.
“While some people may question the wisdom of appearing to offer a ‘handout’ to people experiencing homelessness, the bottom line is that both taxpayers and recipients benefit from this simple and proven approach,” explained Downey.
Serving Seniors presses civic leaders to emphasize proven, cost-effect prevention measures to prevent older adults from losing housing, including shallow rental subsidy programs and one-time diversion funding.
About Serving Seniors
Founded in 1970, Serving Seniors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, dedicated to serving low-income adults aged 60 and over. A leader in senior advocacy and programming, Serving Seniors has created an innovative model of comprehensive services including nutrition meals, housing, health and social services and lifelong learning opportunities to thousands of seniors in need. It is the largest provider of meals to seniors in the county, and one of the only organizations in the nation providing a robust range of services to vulnerable, at-risk older adults.
Serving Seniors President and CEO Paul Downey has been instrumental in the organization’s growth over the past 29 years. Since being appointed the role in 1995, Downey has guided the nonprofit’s innovative efforts to provide supportive services focused on keeping low-income seniors healthy and independent. Under Downey’s leadership, Serving Seniors has grown to provide over one million nutritious meals and coordinated services to 7,000 older adults each year. Read Serving Seniors’ groundbreaking report, Senior Homelessness: A Needs Assessment.
Contact: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, Fellow PRSA
619-997-2495 or gfalkenthal@gmail.com
