FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do LGBT seniors need housing of their own?
Who will benefit?
What will openhouse’s facility offer?
How will it be financed?


Why do LGBT seniors need housing of their own?

Over 17,000 LGBT seniors 60 and over live in San Francisco, and over 60,000 live in the Bay Area.  Surveys have shown that they do not access the services that are available to all seniors.  And when they do, they do not talk about who they are for fear of judgment, rejection, or compromised care.  To be in hiding puts their physical, emotional, and social well being at risk.  Systemic problems of ageism, homophobia and racism have locked the LGBT community out of housing resources and undermined access to health-related and senior services. 

Moderate and low-income LGBT seniors are particularly hard pressed to remain a part of the community that most have belonged to for decades.  Many seniors are at risk of being forced out of San Francisco or even back into the closet in later life.

Many LGBT adults will come into their senior years already at a disadvantage.  While they may have strong support networks, these circle of friends will be aging at relatively the same time.  And because LGBTs are more likely to be childless, single and to live alone than their heterosexual counterparts, they age without the traditional family support and assistance in assessing senior services.

Who will benefit?

Research, surveys and outreach interviews conducted by openhouse identified five major LGBT subgroups in San Francisco that urgently need housing and support as they age:

• Low and very-low income singles and same-sex couples, especially those in the Tenderloin and on SSI, who cannot afford market-rate housing and who feel hopeless and defenseless in the face of the existing LGBT unfriendly public housing lottery system.

• People who have worked hard for many years but still anticipate incomes below the median for San Francisco when they retire—and therefore will find it very difficult to continue to afford comfortable, safe housing in the city.

• Financially secure people who have been able to plan for themselves to include a future home in a safe assisted-living or memory-support environment—where they can reside in comfort, style and dignity, without worrying about discrimination or harassment from personal care aides or other residents.

• San Franciscans who have the means and strong desire to remain in their current homes as they age, but who will eventually need LGBT-sensitive and trustworthy support services such as home health care aides, temporary help after hospital visits, assistance in caring for frail loved ones, adult day health care, case management, etc.

• People who have the means and family/friendship networks to care for each other but who want the Bay Area’s long-term health care system to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.

What will openhouse’s facility offer?

Following the analysis of a Market Demand Study Survey sent out to more than 10,000 LGBTs in the Bay Area, openhouse will assess its anticipated site(s) and put together a business plan to design the types of units and the service and amenities that will be included. 

We anticipate offering stylish and comfortable apartments of varying sizes for singles, couples and families who can life independently.  Each apartment will have a kitchen. Meals, transportation, housekeeping, care management, and social activities will be included in the monthly rental fee.  A communal space will be included for dining, social engagement, wellness management, exercise, and activities.

How will it be financed?

Any undertaking of this magnitude will have a substantial cost.  Some portion of the program will create rental revenue for this nonprofit initiative.  Government financing, bonds, and low interest bank loans will provide most of the funding.  In 2007-8 openhouse will undertake a Capital Campaign to cover about 20% of the remaining costs from individuals and foundations.