Older Adults Are Aging Right Into Homelessness

Across Central Ohio, older adults are facing new and rising levels of housing instability. Rents are climbing faster than fixed incomes and affordable housing construction is lagging far behind community needs. This means older adults are more “rent burdened” than ever, spending unsustainable portions of their income on housing—often 75% or more. Many Central Ohioans are encountering housing insecurity for the first time in their 50s, 60s, or even later. The same is holding true for seniors across the country.

There’s a potential solution being tested right here: a groundbreaking new initiative spearheaded by Central Ohio leaders and community advocates recently piloted a simple and promising safety-net solution: providing selected seniors with some $300 a month in rental support for one year.

The results were startling: participants saw significant improvements in financial stability, access to food and social activities, and far fewer emergency department visits. There were improvements in mental health – especially important considering that older adults—particularly older white men—are at higher risk for suicide. Financial instability is a major trigger of mental health crises, but the pilot program’s early results have shown that even modest levels of rental assistance can be life‑saving.

As policymakers and managed care organizations take notice, this moment presents an opportunity to explore scalable, cost-effective solutions that can stabilize older adults, strengthen communities, and prevent health crises before they occur. Join us as we unpack the scope and causes of growing housing insecurity among older adults in Central Ohio and dig into promising solutions that could make a difference nationwide.

Featuring Tiara Ross, Columbus City Councilmember; Marisa Sheldon, Director, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University College of Social Work, with moderator Katie White, Director, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and additional panelists to be announced.