By Kendra Atleework | SDUN Reporter

On Feb. 28, San Diego’s Senior Transitional Housing Program (THP) celebrated its 10th anniversary. This non-profit organization works with Senior Community Centers of San Diego to assist homeless seniors in finding safe, affordable and permanent housing.

THP provides a place for homeless seniors to stay and assists participants in accessing money they could be entitled to, such as pensions and social security. Once seniors generate savings, THP helps them transfer to one of the two permanent housing facilities the program operates.

The San Diego City Council recognized Feb. 28 as “Senior Transitional Housing Program Day.” District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria said, “We’re lucky to have a first-rate operator like Senior Community Centers, who provide for a group that is far too vulnerable and far too often on our streets today – our senior citizens.”

Senior Community Centers CEO and President Paul Downey said the idea for THP began in 2000, when Downey and his staff noticed many homeless seniors utilizing a temporary winter shelter in downtown.

Seniors admitted to THP receive care to address physical and mental issues. Downey said many suffer from post-traumatic shock syndrome. “Most of these seniors are ordinary working folks,” he said. “Then something bad happens in their lives, and they are suddenly homeless at age 75 or 80.”

George Oliver, 75, went to THP after a dispute with his landlord required him to leave his apartment. He was placed in a private room and was able to save $500 a month before moving into permanent housing.

Oliver described his experience with THP as “enlightening,” and said he believes without THP, he would have been homeless for a long time.

“[Senior homelessness] is a very important issue that needs to be heard by the public,” Oliver said. “I’m a veteran. There are lots of senior veterans on the streets, as well as non-veterans. This program is doing something to stop that.”

THP has served many individuals like Oliver, Downey said, “In ten years, we’ve run about 1,000 people through the program, with about a 90 percent success rate of transfer to permanent homes.”

Downey said there is a growing need for programs like THP as the number of homeless seniors increases, and attributes this increase to a declining economy, high unemployment and expensive medical care. He added that seniors often become homeless after a job loss or a sick spouse, which can drain savings and jeopardize housing.

“According to UCLA’s Elder Index, a senior in San Diego needs to make $24,000 a year to meet basic needs,” Downey explained. “About two in five seniors in San Diego County fall below the Elder Index, so it doesn’t take much for them to tumble into homelessness.”

Downey said he believes THP benefits the entire community, and said decreased homelessness saves tax payer dollars.

“According to United Way, each homeless person in San Diego costs about $50,000 a year, if you factor in police, fire and emergency room visits,” Downey said. “So you can make a modest investment up front to get people off the streets and help them be successful, or you can pay the much higher back-end cost.”

Downey explained THP’s goal is to get homeless seniors “into permanent housing, where they can not only survive, but thrive as enthusiastic community members.”

Though funding, which originally came from City Redevelopment funds, is hard to obtain, Downey said he is hopeful for the future expansion of the program. “We have 35 housing units, but we could fill 70.” Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer and Gloria said they are working with THP to locate funds.

“I think as a community, we have an obligation to help others,” Downey said. “Many homeless seniors have worked; they’ve been successful members of society. The Transitional Housing Program gives a helping hand to folks who have hit a rough patch. The benefit to the community is that we are all better for helping our brothers and sisters.”