The PDF in which this article appear can be found in Bifocal Vol. 46 Issue 4.
April 29, 2025
Fostering Stability in Aging
Erica Costello
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the fastest growing group of people experiencing homeless in the United States are individuals over the age of 55. In 2024, more than 146,000 adults over the age of 55 were homeless and this number is only expected to increase in the coming years.
This issue of Bifocal highlights the need for fostering stability in aging, especially for older adults at-risk of poverty and homelessness. For example, Commission on Law and Aging (COLA) Commissioner Kyle Page’s and Olivia O’Connell’s article discusses the many housing options available for older adults to meet their needs and assist in their care. COLA Liaison Nicole Shannon’s article addresses how Medicaid benefits can help an older adult to age in place, while protecting their independence and autonomy. Additionally, Attorneys Kathie Brown Roberts and Bailey Liipfert’s article spotlights legal and financial considerations around housing options for older adults.
Other articles in this issue address current challenges and barriers to housing experienced by older adults. ABA legal intern Charity Dera’s article examines predatory and discriminatory housing practices that have historically led to housing instability for Black older adults. Attorney Malya Levin’s article further discusses how elder abuse is an often-overlooked risk factor to homelessness among older adults and provides information on elder justice shelter programs that can support older adults in need of services. Finally, Attorney Tom Crishon’s article identifies ways that older adults can overcome barriers to access housing and live more independently.
To combat the growing issue of homelessness among older adults, COLA recently partnered with the Commission on Homelessness and Poverty (CHP) to develop a website entitled, “Fostering Stability in Aging.” The website provides resources to attorneys and other advocates to support older adults at-risk of poverty and homelessness. Through a recent grant with the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation, COLA and CHP will also host a virtual summit in June of 2025 with leading experts in elder, probate, eviction, and housing law to explore the legal needs related to older marginalized adults at-risk of homelessness or housing insecurity. Following the summit, we will produce a final report on our findings and recommendations.
“Fostering Stability in Aging” will also be the theme of the 2025 National Aging and Law Conference (NALC). We expect to host this event virtually on November 6-7, 2025, with sessions discussing the barriers, challenges, and possible solutions to many issues affecting older adults at-risk of poverty and homelessness. If you are interested in attending, more information will be posted on our website about the conference in the summer of 2025.
As more and more older adults experience poverty and homelessness throughout the United States, COLA remains in a unique position to lead attorneys in advocating for older adults to access to housing, medical care, food, and other services. Additional resources and research developed by COLA to support attorneys and advocates can be found on our website.