The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services convened on April 19, 2023, to address the pressing issue of older adult homelessness in California. The meeting featured testimonies from various advocates and stakeholders, highlighting the alarming rise in homelessness among older adults and the urgent need for targeted solutions.

Yasmin Pellet, a senior policy advocate at Justice in Aging, opened the discussion by emphasizing the dramatic increase in homelessness among older adults, particularly those over the age of 65, whose numbers have nearly tripled from 2017 to 2022. She attributed this trend primarily to the unaffordability of housing, which disproportionately affects older renters who often live on fixed incomes that do not keep pace with rising rents. Pellet shared a personal story about her grandparents, illustrating the precarious situation many older adults face despite accessing various support programs.

Pellet called for a comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness among older adults, stressing the need for a statewide rental assistance program specifically designed for this demographic. She proposed a budget request of $500 million to establish such a program, which would serve both those at risk of homelessness and those currently experiencing it. Pellet pointed to successful local rental assistance initiatives as evidence of the effectiveness of this approach.

Following Pellet's testimony, Kathy Senderling McDonald from the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) expressed appreciation for the ongoing support of the Adult Protective Services (APS) program. She noted the increasing demand for APS as the population ages and advocated for continued investment in the Homesafe program, which aims to provide critical support to older adults.

The discussions underscored the need for tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by older adults experiencing homelessness. The subcommittee acknowledged the importance of prioritizing investments in programs that directly support this vulnerable population, as California continues to grapple with the growing crisis of older adult homelessness. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore these issues and develop actionable strategies to improve housing stability for older Californians.