Creating structural community cohesion: Addressing racial equity in older adult homelessness.

Abstract

Older adults and racial minorities are overrepresented in homeless populations. Shelter and housing options for homeless older adults who have complex health and social needs are necessary, but not readily available. Older homeless adults that require, but do not receive, health-sensitive, age-sensitive, and racial equity housing, remain vulnerable to poor outcomes and premature mortality. Accordingly, this study examines the development of a coalition to better address older adult homelessness within a racial equity framework. A community coalition was established to better address older adult homelessness within the lens of age-sensitivity and racial equity, due to a disconnect between healthcare and senior housing placement programs, creating unaddressed multifaceted health issues/complications. The community coalition development is described, including the coalition process, activities, and outcomes. Local rehoused older adults are also interviewed and described to better understand their central life circumstances.