Adults over 50 are now the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population in the United States, a trend researchers attribute to rising housing costs, fixed incomes, and an aging population. These demographic shifts have prompted policymakers to explore prevention strategies that keep vulnerable adults housed before they reach a crisis.
Fixed incomes, soaring rents, financial exploitation, medical emergencies, and the loss of a spouse can quickly push vulnerable seniors to the brink of losing their homes. While much of the nation’s response has focused on helping people after they become homeless, a California program suggests there may be a more effective approach: preventing homelessness before it starts.
