City’s Initiative and Elderly Demographics:
Long Beach faces significant challenges in establishing a senior safe home to provide interim housing for elderly individuals experiencing abuse or at risk of homelessness, as highlighted in a recent city memo. The City Council initiated a feasibility study earlier this year to determine the viability of creating its own senior safe home, responding to the need for improved senior care. According to a staff report, Long Beach has approximately 81,000 residents aged 60 and above, with an estimated 8,000 experiencing elder abuse and 800 at risk of homelessness. Complicating matters, Los Angeles County’s Adult Protective Services recorded 28,868 new cases of elder abuse in 2021, indicating a widespread issue.
Obstacles and Financial Challenges:
The city’s memo outlines several obstacles in the path of establishing a senior safe home. A key challenge is the jurisdictional limitation, as the responsibility for assisting seniors experiencing abuse or homelessness falls under Los Angeles County’s Adult Protective Services, not Long Beach itself. The memo notes the city’s commitment to supplementing county services due to the significance of the senior population. However, creating a senior safe home in the near future proves challenging, with financial constraints being a major hurdle. The estimated cost of construction ranges from $10 to $20 million, coupled with an annual operating budget of $1 million, posing a significant financial burden for Long Beach, particularly amid a projected $38.6 million general fund shortfall through fiscal year 2027.
Exploration of Alternatives and County Partnership:
Despite the challenges, Long Beach has undertaken extensive research into the possibility of a senior safe home, exploring the potential use of existing affordable housing programs and partnerships with developers. However, the memo suggests that some seniors who would benefit from the program might not fit the low-income criteria for the city’s existing affordable housing funding and programs. Recognizing the financial constraints and the county’s jurisdiction, the city emphasizes the need for a strong partnership with Los Angeles County. The memo concludes by stating that the city will continue exploring alternative options, pursuing a partnership with the county, and working to expand current resources for seniors in Long Beach.