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Senior Commission Reports to Senate Committee

Harry Thomas urges additional action now to avert impending housing crises for older Americans

By the year 2020, the number of Americans aged 65 or older will increase dramatically as America's "Baby Boom" generation matures. By that time, over 53 million Americans, or 1 in 6, will be in this age bracket.

According to the The Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century (the Seniors Commission), this increase in the population of older Americans will lead to critical shortages in housing and supportive health services as early as 2010. The Commission reported their findings after 18 months of research and nation-wide hearings.

Seattle Housing Authority Executive Director Harry Thomas served on this Commission, representing the perspective of public housing communities across the country. Along with five other commissioners who filed a minority opinion, Thomas urged Congress to go even further than the Commission's report suggested in preparing for this crisis. "There is a housing crisis now for older Americans," he stressed. "Already we have a housing shortage of 6.1 million units for poor, frail elderly. This shortage is expected to grow to 9.5 million units by 2020." Meanwhile, the Section 202 program that provides federal funding to develop affordable housing for the elderly is receiving funding for only about 5,800 units per year.

The minority group emphasized their support for the findings of the Commission as a whole. The Commission's report articulates five guiding principles to prepare for the growing needs of the elderly relative to housing and health care.

1. Preserve existing housing stock. With respect to public housing, Thomas urged the specific preservation of the nation's stock of public housing. He noted that , "The existing stock of public housing in this country is valued at over $90 billion. It represents a significant resource for elderly and disabled Americans, and it is extremely important that we continue to invest as a nation in the long-term maintenance and capital needs of our existing public housing."
   
   

2. Expand successful housing production, rental assistance programs, home- and community-based services and supportive housing models. 
   
   

3. Link shelter and services to promote and encourage aging in place. In connection with this principle, Thomas emphasized the need for public housing residents to age in place, so that they can maintain their community ties and are not forced prematurely into nursing homes or other care facilities.
   
   

4. Reform existing federal financing programs to maximize flexibility and increase housing production and health and service coverage, and
   
   

5. Create and explore new housing and service programs, models and demonstrations. In connection with this principle, Thomas pointed out the innovation of the Elder Village at NewHolly, where public housing residents are able to access increasing levels of care as their needs increase, without having to leave the neighborhood.

Minority recommendation included expanding the housing production program now, allowing local housing agencies to use Section 202 funding, and supporting a Medicare prescription drug benefit.