Mitigating Homelessness Among Older Adults: Opportunities in Adapting the Permanent Supportive Housing Model

Homeless older adults have a unique constellation of needs, including early onset of geriatric conditions and a disproportionate prevalence of behavioral health disorders. Studies demonstrate numerous benefits of permanent supportive housing (PSH) for homeless people, but those studies have primarily been conducted among younger formerly homeless people. Recent studies of older adults living in PSH suggest that housing alone is not enough to address geriatric conditions in this population and to improve their ability to age in place. This article discusses four models that hold promise for interweaving care and housing for unhoused older adults. More study is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these promising programs.