Solving for Homelessness among 

Older Adults, People with Disabilities, 

and Other Populations

April 18, 2023

Webinar
Welcome

Webinar is hosted by the 

Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC)

Facilitator

Lisa Coffman, Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy 

Assistant Secretary for Special Needs at the U.S. 

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

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Agenda

• Welcome and Housekeeping 

– Poll Question

• Solving for Homelessness: The Big Picture

• Ending Homelessness in San Diego: A Case Study

• Chat Question

• Q&A

• Recommended Technical Resources and Wrap Up

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Instructions for Zoom

Audio Options

• Use your computer speakers, OR dial in using 

the phone number in your registration email.

• All participants are muted.

Questions and Comments

• Please actively use chat throughout the 

meeting, especially for your comments.

• To ask a presenter a question, please use the 

Q&A function.

Or, send your question or comment via email to 

HSRC@ACL.HHS.GOV

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This event is being 

recorded.
Poll: What Is Your Sector?

Which best describes your organization??

• Disability or Aging Networks

• Health Care or Public Health Organization/System

• Mental or Behavioral Health Organization/System

• Housing or Homeless Services Organization/System

• Human/Social Services Organization 

• Community Development Organization

• Association, Advocacy, Philanthropic, Education, or Research 

Organization

• Consumer

• Other

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Housing and Services Resource Center

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Poll Results

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Solving for Homelessness

Housing

• Affordable

• Accessible

• Healthful

• Safe

Supportive Services

• Nutrition

• Health services

• Transportation

• Social engagement

• Legal assistance

• Housekeeping/chores

• Personal care

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Continuum of Care Program

A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional or 

local planning body that coordinates housing 

and services funding for homeless families 

and individuals.

The CoC is designed to promote communitywide planning and strategic use of resources 

to address homelessness and improve 

coordination and integration with 

mainstream resources and other programs 

targeted to people experiencing 

homelessness.

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Continuums of Care 

Introduced in 1994, Continuums of Care (CoCs) are community-driven 

processes to address local needs and prioritize projects locally

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The Disability and Aging Networks

• Aging & Disability Resource 

Centers/No Wrong Door Systems 

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)

• Centers for Independent Living 

(CILs)

Learn more at: 

https://acl.gov/programs/aging-anddisability-networks

• Adult Protective Services

• Assistive Technology Act Programs

• Benefits Enrollment Centers

• Councils on Developmental Disabilities

• Elder Rights & Services

• Protection & Advocacy Programs

• University Centers of Excellence for 

Developmental Disabilities

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The Disability and Aging Services Network

• Aging and disability organizations (AAAs, CILs, and 

other CBOs) reach into every community across the 

nation and serve diverse populations. 

• Staffed by people who live in and know the community 

and culture.

• Decades of experience in helping people access and 

receive home and community-based services, housing 

and housing related services. 

• Engage in partnerships to streamline access to 

services for the people we serve.

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“Backbone Organizations”

An entity in a community that organizes and supports 

an array of community-based organizations as they 

work together to serve the same people. 

Examples: 

• Continuums of Care

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Centers for 

Independent Living (CILs)

• Community Care Hubs

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San Diego 

Partnership for Age-Friendly 

Homelessness Solutions

Tamera Kohler

Chief Executive Officer

Regional Task Force on Homelessness

Kristen D. Smith

Chief, Agency Operations

Aging & Independence Services

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Aging and Independence Services.
RTFH is the Lead Agency for the San Diego Continuum of Care (CoC)

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Community Regional Plan—system level coordinated strategies, population specific goals with housing outcomes 

focused—addressing unique needs of San Diego where Homelessness is Rare, Brief and One time.

A CoC is a regional planning body 

that coordinates housing and 

services for homeless families and 

individuals and promotes a 

community-wide commitment to the 

goal of ending homelessness 

Person Centered, Racial Equity, 

Aging, Veteran, Youth & Families

Conduct annual 

Point-In-Time 

Count.

Administer 

Homeless 

Management 

Information 

System (HMIS).

Promote best 

practices, trainings, 

and standards for 

assistance.

Operate 

Coordinated Entry 

System (CES).

Policy, advocacy, 

and research.

Fund homeless 

services.

Collaborative 

Applicant for HUD 

CoC funds.

Monitor system 

and program 

performance.
Aging and Independence Services

Volunteer/ 

Intergenerational 

Health Promotion 

Outreach and 

Education

Senior Dining 

Home-Delivered 

Meals

Case Management 

Caregiver Support

IHSS APS 

Ombudsman 

Public 

Administrator 

Public Guardian

Call Center 

1-800-339-4661

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Our Mission: Aging & Independence Services improves quality of life, advances equity, and fosters dignity for 

older adults and persons with disabilities by providing information and essential services for health, safety and 

independence.
Continuum of Care’s 

Aging and Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee

4 pillars of action:

• Establishment of Shallow Subsidies and 

Flexible Funding

• Creation of Age-Friendly Shelters

• Implementation of Regional Training

• Connection with Employment Opportunities

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Aging Resources 101: Training for Homeless 

Service Providers

Content based on Provider 

Input, Piloted, then revised 

and rolled out to > 260 

professionals

Incontinence

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1. Would you like to be placed in a bed near the bathroom?

2. Do you have an occasional accident, where you don’t make it to the 

restroom?

3. Do accidents make day to day activity difficult?
Resources

Standards, Learning, and Training - Regional Task Force on 

Homelessness (rtfhsd.org)

Click on link above and then scroll down to “Training,” then click and 

scroll to the end of the trainings to see “Working with Older Adults.”

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Chat:

What is 1 idea that you learned 

and can apply in your work?
Panel Discussion 

Q&A

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Technical Resources and 

Wrap Up

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Roadmap (Part 1) 

Creating Cross-Sector Partnerships

Initial four aspects of 

planning cross-sector 

solutions to housing and 

homelessness.

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HSRC Website Tools on 

Housing, Health and Community Living

Online Directories to 

Find Local Partners

Acronyms

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acl.gov/HousingAndServices
Find Out More in Your Area

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HUD Resource Links

www.hudexchange.info

Search for local grant recipients and/or programs

https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/

Latest info on CoC: https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessnessassistance/

Get future funding opportunities by joining CPD’s listserv, go to 

https://www.hudexchange.info/mailinglist/

Submit Questions to the HUD Exchange Ask-A-Question at: 

https://www.hudexchange.info/get-assistance/my-question/

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Help Us Improve

Please complete our short 

feedback form:

bit.ly/43q9Pwe

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We want to hear from you! 

Please email us at hsrc@acl.hhs.gov

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Acknowledgment

This presentation was supported by the U.S. Administration for Community Living 

through a contract with Mission Analytics Group, Inc. (Contract number 

HHSP233201500060I) which subcontracted the work to USAging. The views expressed 

do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Administration for 

Community Living / Department of Health and Human Services.

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