The rate of homeless seniors is on the rise in San Francisco. Although the poverty rate in the United States has gone down, in this city it has remained the same since 1989. In 2002, the city of San Francisco did an informal census through the Mayor’s Office of the Homeless determining there were 15,000 homeless and of those, 3,300 were 55 and older.

The SF Mayor’s Office on Housing found that there are 6,500 public housing units, with a waiting list of 15,000 people. 25 percent of those on the waiting list are seniors.

To be homeless and a senior makes surviving a bigger challenge. The challenges are different than those for younger homeless people. Lack of mobility, health problems, recovery and substance problems, government subsidized program restrictions and a loss of respect and dignity color the experience of the homeless senior.

“Imagine trying to get into an upper bunk at a shelter (when you’re older). And then you have to go to the bathroom more often. Sometimes it is so far down the hall,” said a homeless senior woman who wouldn’t give her name.

“If a shelter is fairly decent, there is an emphasis on back to work, or getting full time disability. A senior has their own money coming in, have SSI and certainly do not plan to return to work. When there is case management, it is not appropriate to seniors," said Stephanie Marsili, homeless advocate.

“Every need a senior has, aside from food, shelter, and human interaction; those needs are not met by the shelter. They have different nutritional needs and they need respect and dignity,” continued Marsili.

Many seniors opt to live on the street because they want independence; they don’t want other people’s rules and it is their home. But as the weather turns cold and rainy, many have to come inside.

“The homeless are more susceptible to infectious diseases especially, and violence and abuse. After 40, in an aging population, you see all disease processes get worse. They are exacerbated by being outdoors and walking everywhere. They don’t get time to put feet up," explained Don Upton, nurse practitioner for North of Market Services (NMS).

Seniors have difficulty standing and waiting in the long lines. They may have problems with their feet, heart, respiratory and skin problems. Abscesses are especially rampant. If there is no bed at a shelter, they must return at 7 p.m. and wait until 10 for a space. Some of the homeless seniors sleep under the overpasses where the freeway no longer runs, in the park, in an alley, or ride the buses all night to stay out of the cold. Others find that drugs ease the pain.

There are mentally ill seniors and those with substance problems on the street. Pat Schroeder, Director of Senior Services at St. Mary’s Shelter in Oakland said, “After people have lived on street for extended period of time, they may abuse alcohol or drugs or become mentally ill. We meet the client where they are at.”

Jackie Jenks, coordinator of the Hospitality House says that there has been a lot of attention focused on the “homeless problem” lately. She is worried about making sweeping remarks or generalizing about living on the streets. “People do show up here with substance abuse and mental health and what causes what?”

She advises that substance problems and mental illness can often result when people find it difficult to cope with homelessness. "The longer they are out there, the harder it is to get back, ” Jenks sighs.

The vast majority (70 percent of seniors) are in long-term skilled nursing. The assisted-care ward at Laguna Honda includes old women and men. The homeless population is aging, young people are more likely to go to Kaiser. You see people aged on the street where their health has failed, poor and indigent, county services wind up with us,” mentions Jim Zelaya Wagner, psychiatric social worker at Laguna Honda Hospital. But there are other places to find seniors during the daylight.

The Canon Kip Center looks like an ordinary senior center, except homeless seniors also use it as their daytime space. Meals are served at the center, owned and operated by the Episcopalian Charities. The Center is run in conjunction with the Sanctuary, a homeless shelter on 8th and Howard.

“Seniors know how to use us” said Lolita C. Kintanar, director of the Canon Kip Center. Those who are not homeless are Filipinos between 70 and 90 years old. (There are some) Veteran Filipinos got citizenship, sponsored by their own children, who live in single room occupancy units (SRO’s) live 5 to a room; this is still classified as marginally housed; it is still homelessness!", remarks Kintanar confirming that even though people may have a home, if they don't have a bed, they are still homeless.

One of the men in the group, Tom G. who wishes to not give his last name, says he gets SSI/SDI and it’s hard to pay rent on that.” Tom has been homeless since he was a child . “The kids had to do all the work while my father drank," continues Tom

“I haven’t been in shelter for 13 to 14 years, last time I was here, I was in the Sanctuary. Don’t expect any privacy. Because of my medical problem, find it hard to sleep. I have to move out, we can talk about that later. They need help at shelter, closer supervision, job descriptions exist, but they don’t do it,” Tom continues.

Noble Stewart, a 65-year-old who has been homeless on and off since 1991, when he could not pay rent and was evicted.

“I was completely homeless; lived in the shelter and couldn’t go back to the apartment. I like the Sanctuary, I stay downstairs; it’s private for seniors. It’s safer than the street, there’s a room,” says Stewart, almost smiling. Last night he slept out in the rain, but he “doesn’t pay attention.”

The discussion turns to registering for a bed and Noble laughs, “I’ve been fingerprinted worse than that!” He declined to have his picture taken; he hopes his family doesn’t see it.

Mel Beetle was appointed Senior of the Year in 2002. Now he’s homeless again. He’s 63 and dressed in a matching red sweater and a red plaid style shirt. He worries about being homeless this time.

“Now there are more seniors, but they are being run out of sanctuary by younger people; friends of staff who stay downstairs in seniors area. No respect. Don’t keep informed.”

Seniors are afraid to leave their belongings when they go out during the day. They are afraid of being beaten up at night, or being robbed or abused by younger, tougher homeless people. It is not safe to be old, not safe to be on the streets. The combination is precarious at best.

The meeting comes to a close, Ronnie, a homeless man who did not give his last name, wears a stocking cap and sits in a wheelchair in the back corner under the clock says he feels good, it is payday. When asked how long he had been coming here, he replied, “Been here so long on streets 11 years!”

“He should get a medal,” says another man, “he’s been homeless since 1975.”