Nowhere to Go: Addressing the Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians

On June 11, 2026, the California Commission on Aging hosted its annual information hearing, “Nowhere to Go: Addressing the Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians.” The hearing brought together representatives from county and state agencies, nonprofits, and individuals with lived experience to examine the growing challenge of homelessness among older adults and explore solutions to expand supportive housing.

Older Californians are experiencing homelessness at an unprecedented rate. In 2023, nearly half (48%) of single adults experiencing homelessness were age 50 or older, up from 11% in 1990. Older adults often face unique barriers to securing stable housing, including limited income, housing discrimination, and age-related health challenges.

While rehousing programs have demonstrated strong outcomes, California's shortage of supportive housing limits their ability to meet growing demand. The Commission will release a report and policy brief later this year outlining findings and recommendations to strengthen homelessness prevention and response efforts for older adults. The report will be released this fall.