CEO Corner: Inspire Action to End Older Adult Homelessness

At Hearth, we see the reality of older adult homelessness every day. It is urgent. It is heartbreaking. And it is growing. But we also know that it is not inevitable and together, we have the power to change the story.

Inspiring action starts with understanding. Too often, homelessness is seen as a matter of personal failure. The truth is that older adult homelessness is most often the result of fixed incomes that don’t keep up with rising costs, unexpected health challenges, or the loss of a loved one or caregiver. By learning the facts and sharing human stories, we can replace stigma with compassion and open the door to solutions.

Action also comes through support. Every gift, no matter the size, fuels programs that keep older adults housed and safe. Monthly donations provide stability we can count on. Contributions to our Furnishings Fund turn empty apartments into true homes. And when our community shows up at events like the Hearth Gala on October 16th, it not only raises critical funds but sends a powerful message: older adults matter, and they deserve dignity and security.

But inspiring action isn’t only about advocacy or philanthropy it’s about the kind of community we choose to be. When we check in on aging neighbors, when we reach out to someone who may be struggling, when we connect them with resources, we build a safety net that keeps people from falling into homelessness in the first place.

Finally, we must also look ahead. Our society needs more affordable housing designed with older adults in mind. We need integrated approaches that link healthcare and housing. We need policies, like the Older Americans Act, that affirm the right of every person to age with dignity. These are not lofty goals, they are achievable if we raise our voices together.

Older adult homelessness is a crisis, but it is also a solvable one. At Hearth, we believe in a future where no older adult faces the indignity of homelessness. That future is within our reach if we continue to inspire action, fueled by compassion, and guided by the belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable home.

Warm regards,

Rhonda Pieroni
President and CEO