A National Leadership Initiative to End Elder Homelessness: A Partnership between Hearth and the

Corporation for Supportive Housing

Mark HinderlieWashington, D.C.

July 14, 2011

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The Partnership Behind the National Initiative

Hearth, with a recognized model that works, and CSH, a national organization working to end homelessness through supportive housing, have joined together to further the national dialogue about the impending crisis of elderly homelessness and the importance of providing permanent service-enriched housing for seniors who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

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Goals of the National Leadership Initiative

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• To further a national dialogue about the impending crisis of elder homelessness

• To create a National Policy Advisory Committee to help shape recommendations for policy change

• To develop a policy paper with clear goals and a path for developing permanent supportive housing for this population

• To bring together elected and appointed officials, providers, advocates and funders in a national convening October 20, 2011 to inform and guide this initiative

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Traditional Solutions Do Not Work for Elder Homelessness

We believe what works is:

• Permanent supportive housing

• Outreach

• Advocacy

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Acting Now – Before It’s Too Late…

• Economic insecurity

• Unpredictable challenges of aging– The acceleration of aging caused by homelessness– Physical and mental health– Substance abuse

• Baby boomers part 1

• Baby boomers part 2

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Poverty and the Lack of Affordable HousingTwo critical issues

FROM US CENSUS

ANNUAL MEDIAN HOUSING COSTS

ANNUAL MEDIAN INCOME FOR ELDERS 65+

DIFFERENCE

US $11,000 $19,000 +$8,000

Boston $16,000 $13,000 -$3,000

Source: US Census, American Community Survey, andthe Employment Benefit Research Institute & Lifelines for Elders Living on the Edge

● Today, 3.6 million American seniors live below the federal poverty line and millions more are just making ends meet. In Boston, 1 in every 5 elders lives below the poverty line.

● Annual cost of living for an elderly individual renting a one bedroom apartment in Massachusetts was $24,540 in 2009.

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Poverty and the Lack of Affordable HousingTwo critical issues

● Most homeless elders lack any safety net of income, pensions or savings. Living below the federal poverty line, they often struggle to meet their most basic daily needs with very meager benefits from Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

● Nationally, the average SSI monthly payment check to a person 65 and older (Hearth residents’ most common source of income) is approximately $400.

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Americans 65 and older rely heavily on Social Security for their retirement income — even at the top income bracket

Source: Calculations by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College,based on the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 Current Population Survey; Credit: Alyson Hurt / NPR

Sources of Retirement Income

UMass Boston Gerontology Institute, Massachusetts Elder Economic Security Standard, 2009

2009 Elder Standard for Single Elder in Suffolk Countyvs. MA SSI Payments & Federal Poverty Levels

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Age Distribution for Males in 1990 – US Census

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

Age

2000 Overall Male

2000 Sheltered Male

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● Hearth’s model integrates housing, mental health, medical and social services supports in a manner that permits even very frail elders to live with considerable independence in their own apartments.

● Hearth’s team is comprised of a Property Manager, MSW’s, RN’s, Site Directors, Resident Assistants, Personal Care Homemakers, Activity staff and a Representative Payee.

● Students, interns and volunteers provide countless hours of service to our residents. Partnerships include:

Hearth’s Service Delivery Model

● Harvard Geriatrics Fellowship Program ● Northeastern University Physical

Therapy Program● Art Therapy Interns from Lesley

University

● Social Work Interns from Boston College, Boston University, and Simmons College

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Hearth’s Sources of Revenue

Nearly half of Hearth’s revenue comes from rental fees and program revenues.

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Outcomes for Hearth Residents

● Housing with integrated supportive services leads to good outcomes for elders who have struggled with the consequences of poverty and homelessness.

● 95% of Hearth’s survey respondents report a visit with a primary medical care provider within the previous six months, demonstrating Hearth’s success in forging connections between its elder residents and critically important community-based care.

● Access to safe, affordable housing and a supportive living environment promotes stability, wellness, and life satisfaction among formerly homeless older adults.

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Outcomes for Hearth Residentscontinued

Many of those participating in a recent Hearth survey reported positive assessments of their health and well-being as residents of Hearth’s housing, despite the numerous and serious health challenges they experience:

● 68% of respondents rate their health (including physical, emotional, and mental health) as either good, very good, or excellent.

● 70% of respondents report being either satisfied or very satisfied with their lives, in general

● 78% of respondents express satisfaction with their living environments, with an additional 10% expressing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction.

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Costs of Serving Homeless Individuals in Boston

Source: Costs of Serving Homeless Individuals in Nine Cities,prepared by the Lewin Group for the Corporation for Supportive Housing. 2004

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● The cost of Hearth housing is at most one-half the cost of institutional alternatives such as long term care or shelter beds.

● There are high costs associated with leaving elders in shelter or on the street which include costs such as increased use of emergency medical care for routine care.

● At over $51,000 a year on average in Massachusetts for assisted living and $107,000 for nursing home care, assisted living is generally unavailable to most poor and minority elders. At Ruggles, Hearth is able to provide access to this high level of care for Boston’s very low income, frail elders who otherwise would be living in nursing homes on Medicaid’s tab.

Hearth’s Strategy Makes Sense

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The Advisory Panel

National Leadership Initiative Advisory Panel

• Chair: Ellen Feingold Hearth Founder, Past President of JCHE

• Co-Chairs of the National Leadership Initiative: Mark Hinderlie President & CEO, Hearth, Inc. Connie Tempel COO, Corporation for Supportive Housing

• Individuals from the following organizations:

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The National Leadership Initiative Convening

Agenda

• Rise in 50+ homelessness and special needs

• Current best practices/models

• Analysis of policy challenges and possible solutions

• Creative collaborations: working across boundaries

When: Thursday, October 20, 2011 in Washington D.C.

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Mark HinderliePresident & CEO

mhinderlie@hearth-home.org

T 617-369-1553

Contact Information

Hearth, Inc.

1640 Washington Street • Boston, MA • 02118

www.hearth-home.org