CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR LGBTQ SENIORS

Tanya Witt - Residential Services

The Los Angeles LGBT Center:

Who We Are

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for and celebrated the

LGBTQ community in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center provides

services for more LGBTQ people than any other organization in the world,

spanning four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture

and Education, Leadership and Advocacy.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center:

Our Locations

• McDonald Wright Building & Jeffrey Goodman Clinic: 1625 N. Schrader,

Los Angeles, CA 90028

• The Village at Ed Gould Plaza: 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038

• The Youth Center & Highland Annex: 1220 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

90038

• West Hollywood: 8745 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

• Triangle Square Apartments: 1602 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028

• Mi Centro: 533 Clarence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Many LGBTQ older adults feel marginalized. They lack livable income, have

feelings of externalized homophobia, and deal with circumstances affecting aging in

place such as mobility, isolation, and chronic medical issues. Our goal is to provide

this population a wide range of programs, services, activities, and events specifically

geared toward their needs.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center:

Senior Services

65,000 LGBT Seniors in Los Angeles:A Snapshot of Who We Serve and Why

In general, LGBTQ seniors are:

• Twice as likely to live alone

• Twice as likely to be single

• 3 to 4 times less likely to have children than their heterosexual counterparts

• Often estranged from their biological families

In LA County:

• 71% live alone

• 62% do not have easy access to transportation

• 39% have at least one disability

• 54% say they cannot afford to purchase food or medications at least 3 times a year

Senior Services Department Overview

Average monthly rent for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles is $1,950.00 while average monthly income of Center client is $1300.00. The number one request received at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Senior Services Department is for affordable housing that:

• Is LGBTQ senior friendly

• Is affordable

• Is located in the L.A. Metro area of Los Angeles

Triangle Square Apartments

Requirements:

62+ years of age

Low income

LGBTQ friendly

Independent living

Triangle Square At A Glance

Triangle Square is the nation’s first and largest affordable housing development for LGBTQ older adults. The project was completed in 2007. The wait list is over 450 people long. On-site social services are provided by the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

• 104 units (eight are 2-bedrooms)

• Heated pool

• Gym

• Courtyard

• Community Room

• Media Room

• Library with computer access

• Indoor garage parking

Triangle Square Demographics

• 99% occupancy rate since opening in 2007

• 78% of current population identify as LGBTQ

• Average age of residents is 75 (66% men and 34% women)

• 87% of residents live alone

• 35 units have been designated for HIV/AIDS or at-risk homeless tenants

• 36% of the residents are living with HIV/AIDS

• 76% of residents live at or below poverty level

• 46% of residents have food insecurities

• 85% of residents are living with at least one chronic condition

• 32% of residents have HUD/Section 8 vouchers

Triangle Square Activities and Social Services

Over 60 activities offered each month at no cost to residents including: yoga, acupuncture trivia, lesbian movie nights, computer classes, the One Voice Senior Chorale, bingo, and chair workouts. Also available:

• Case Management and Mental Health services

• Medical treatment in partnership with the Center’s Jeffrey Goodman Clinic

• Free lunches Monday through Friday in partnership with Project Angel Food

• Monthly grocery distribution in partnership with Inspire LA

• Grief and Loss Therapy in partnership with Tranquil Care Hospice

• Blood pressure screening, flu shots, and wellness workshops in partnership with CVS Pharmacy

• Healthy Living workshops presented by Partners In Care Foundation

The Future of Housing Our LGBT Elders

• The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus is scheduled to open in early 2019. It will provide up to 100 affordable housing units for LGBTQ seniors as well as a dedicated senior center, commercial kitchen, shower facilities for homeless clients, and social services.

• To date there are only 21 affordable senior housing projects in the United States specifically geared toward the LGBTQ community. Triangle Square remains the largest.

The Center’s drop-in campus provides a safe, welcoming space. The case managers are experts at helping seniors navigate the complex world of Social Security, Medicare, affordable housing, and more. Through a close relationship with the Veterans Administration, the Center has been particularly helpful in securing benefits for LGBTQ veterans.

The Village at Ed Gould PlazaSenior Services Drop In Center

• Serves more than 4,000 seniors each year

• Case Management including weekly drop-in hours for new clients

• LGBTQ veteran support

• Specialized groups including HIV+, LGBTQ Caregivers, and Women over 50

• Medical treatment in partnership with the Center’s Jeffrey Goodman Clinic

• Referrals to LGBTQ friendly housing, home health care assistance, bereavement support, mental health support, and legal issues

• Training for local health and human service agencies to ensure LGBTQ older adults receive quality care

• Over 120 activities, classes, and groups per month

The Village At A Glance

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Senior Services department strives to provide a broad array of social, enrichment, and support services to over 4,000 seniors in LA County each year. These services are free or low cost.

• Low income housing offered at Triangle Square

• Medical care offered at the Jeffrey Goodman Clinic

• Veteran support available

• Referrals to LGBTQ-friendly organizations

• Training given to other organizations serving the older adult population

Summary and Contact Information

Tanya Witt

Residential Services

tanyaw@lalgbtcenter.org

323-860-5828

Teresa Garcia

Case Manager

tgarcia@lalgbtcenter.org

323-860-5824