On March 24th, Homebase held From Urgency to Action, Homebase’s first summit on the topic of older adult homelessness. Throughout the day, we heard from providers, government agencies, and people with lived experience of homelessness in the Mid-Atlantic region, who have touched this issue in some way. Over the course of the day’s panel presentations and group discussions, Homebase team member Garen Nigon developed a few takeaways, five of which are shared here.

A conversation with Robin Kahan-Berman, Vice President of Occupational Therapy at Project Renewal, a New York City-based nonprofit that provides housing, health care, and employment opportunities to New Yorkers who have experienced homelessness. The organization is on the leading edge of incorporating occupational therapy (OT) across its shelters and housing programs, including its Helping Older People Engage (HOPE) initiative. In this condensed interview, she explains the power of OT to increase the chances that clients stay housed even as they encounter the health and cognitive challenges associated with aging – and the journey to build and sustain such a substantial OT practice within the homelessness sector.

Curious about co-sheltering with pets? Directing Attorney Kris Maun shares about the benefits and practical considerations in this blog post.

An interview with Nicole Green, Forensic Social Worker, Office of the Public Defender, and Chair of the Contra Costa Community Advisory Board (CAB).

This blog shares Senior Directing Attorney Gillian Morshedi's reflections on the integration of housing and health, and how the field has progressed over the past decade.

When we set out to help homeless service providers navigate Medi-Cal renewals, we didn’t expect to uncover another systemic challenge faced by people experiencing homelessness: keeping Medi-Cal when moving across county lines. In this blog post, Policy Analyst, Riley Meve, and Senior Directing Attorney, Julie Silas, share how community conversations led to new collaborations and resources.