Senior Services asks Portsmouth council for $75,000 as city’s 60+ population grows

Steve Zolas, CEO of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, told the Portsmouth City Council the city faces a long-term demographic shift: one in four residents are now age 60 or older. Zolas said that shift has produced rising elder hunger, more elder homelessness and growing demand for home-delivered meals, transportation to medical appointments and caregiver supports.

"We provided over 4,000 free rides to medical appointments" and delivered more than 12,000 home-delivered meals in Portsmouth in 2025, Zolas said, adding the agency currently operates a waiting list for meals and must sometimes schedule transportation two to three weeks out. Zolas described intergenerational and community programs such as the "Better Together" senior cafés and a senior companion program that logged thousands of hours of companionship and in‑home care.

At the end of the presentation, Zolas asked the council for $75,000 to expand services in Portsmouth. He outlined the proposed allocation: $42,500 for direct program costs, $25,000 for a senior emergency fund to help with life‑threatening needs (heat, cooling, emergency repairs) and $7,500 for operations and administration. He framed the request as a step toward a longer-term equity goal for senior support but noted the agency was only seeking a modest increase for 2026.

Council members pressed Senior Services on capacity and coordination. Councilman Dodson and others shared difficulties navigating Medicare enrollment and said they had seen the provider close intake during open enrollment; Zolas confirmed the agency sometimes must pause intake when demand exceeds capacity.

Multiple council members urged stronger ties with local partners. Councilman Tiglet and Councilman Hugle asked Senior Services to coordinate with Portsmouth United and the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority to avoid duplicating services and to discover funding or operational partners; Zolas said Portsmouth is a primary target for the agency’s 2026 strategic plan. Vice Mayor Moody and other members suggested leveraging local foundations and organizations such as Mercy Chefs to scale meal delivery if the city moves from five to seven meals per week for homebound clients.

City Manager Steven Carter offered to connect the agency with city contacts and local foundations after the meeting. Zolas said he would provide contact information and follow up on partnership opportunities.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to schedule follow-up meetings with Senior Services and local partners; the city manager said staff would facilitate connections and return with any requested cost estimates or partnership proposals.