LGBT seniors who are interested in living in the apartments at Openhouse's 55 Laguna Street project need to start working with case managers now to determine whether they qualify for the 39 affordable units that are expected to come online this fall. As most people know, Openhouse's journey to create the LGBT-welcoming housing units has been a long one, even by San Francisco standards. But housing is a critical issue here and the fact that construction is almost complete on the first phase of the project is welcome news.
It's important that qualifying LGBT seniors – those age 55 and over – start the process immediately. Applications will be available in May and a lottery for the units will take place in June. It is likely that there will be thousands of applicants because there are few restrictions. Openhouse, like other housing providers, can't discriminate so the units at 55 Laguna cannot be reserved exclusively for LGBT people. The project is being developed with a focus on LGBT seniors, but it's possible that few LGBT seniors will get a unit through the lottery if there isn't a large enough pool of applicants. Lots of straight seniors in the city are in dire need of affordable housing too, and most of them don't care if they live in a building focusing on LGBT seniors – they'll take anything. These units aren't subsidized, meaning that tenants are expected to pay the full rent, although Openhouse is accepting Section 8, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS, and other rental assistance programs. According to Openhouse's website, rent ranges from $821-$893 for a studio, $879-$1,019 for a one bedroom, and $1,055-$1,146 for a two bedroom, but those amounts are subject to change.
Openhouse's idea for LGBT-focused affordable housing started 17 years ago and since then, the need has only intensified. We do support Openhouse allowing seniors who live outside of San Francisco to apply. Over the years, LGBT seniors who could no longer afford to live here had to leave the city; securing an affordable apartment at 55 Laguna is a chance for them to return.
There will only be 15 units available for the general public, because 40 percent of the units are set aside for residents of District 8, or those living within a half mile of 55 Laguna. Additionally, eight units are set aside for chronically homeless elders living with HIV, which will not be part of the lottery.
In 2018, Openhouse will release another 79 units of affordable senior housing and there may be different selection criteria.
The housing and affordability crisis has severely affected many seniors in San Francisco. Moreover, many LGBT seniors don't have the luxury of family members to rely on. This generation of LGBT elders came of age in the closet, and many at that time did not have children of their own. Over the decades those trends have changed – now many more same-sex couples and LGBT singles are starting their own families and/or are closer to their biological families than in years past.
But LGBT elders today still face discrimination in some senior facilities from staff lacking proper training to help their LGBT residents. Part of Openhouse's mission is to provide training to help other service providers create welcoming, supportive, and safe environments for LGBT seniors. As noted in the San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force's report two years ago, many LGBTs face isolation in their senior years, and living at a place like 55 Laguna will reduce that. It's too bad that there isn't more affordable housing for our elders. With the opening of 55 Laguna later this year, however, a first step will be taken, and we hope that LGBT seniors will benefit from it. In order to do so, they need to apply for those units and get into the lottery.