Building H.O.U.S.E (Healthy Outcomes Using a Supportive Environment): Exploring the Role of Affordable and Inclusive Housing for LGBTQIA+ Older Adults

Abstract

Little is known about how permanent, inclusive, affordable, and supportive long-term housing may affect the health of low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and/or another identity (LGBTQIA+) older adults. Focus group interviews were conducted with 21 older adults to explore the lived experiences and potential health benefits of living in a new LGBTQIA+-welcoming senior housing. Participants reported that moving into the housing was associated with benefits for health and well-being, especially for psychological health. Community, social support, and in-house services were particularly important. However, the combined nature of LGBTQIA+-welcoming and older adult only housing evoked mixed feelings. Appropriate and accessible housing solutions are essential for LGBTQIA+ older adults and may help address health disparities for these populations.

Aging in the Right Place for Older Adults Experiencing Housing Insecurity: An Environmental Assessment of Temporary Housing Program

“…Housing instability can negatively impact the health and well-being of older adults [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Research suggests that OPEH have mental and physical health characteristics that are similar to non-homeless individuals who are 10 to 20 years older [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Mental health of gender minority older adults in the United States: A systematic review.

“…Six qualitative studies offered converging evidence of these relationships. While these studies named support from friends and family (Fabbre, 2015; Fabbre & Gaveras, 2020; Gaveras et al, 2023), activism and engagement within GM communities (Carroll, 2017; Elder, 2016; Fabbre & Gaveras, 2020), and a sense of community and safety from discrimination within long-term housing (Rosenwohl-Mack et al, 2022) as important sources of well-being for GM older adults, they also identified mixed experiences with family acceptance (Carroll, 2017; Elder, 2016; Fabbre & Gaveras, 2020) and ambivalent perceptions of connection to broader “LGBT” spaces (Fabbre & Gaveras, 2020; Rosenwohl-Mack et al, 2022).…”

“…Among the 28 studies that reported race/ethnicity, 25 (89%) examined samples in which non-Hispanic White participants comprised a majority. The remaining three (11%) studies were a case study including one older transgender woman described as Hispanic (Ferron et al, 2010), a qualitative study in which non-Hispanic White participants still comprised a plurality (48%) of the sample (Rosenwohl-Mack et al, 2022), and a quantitative study using data from a survey specifically aimed toward SGM people of color (Stanton et al, 2017). A majority (67%, n = 14/21) of the quantitative studies in this review did not investigate differences in mental health-related outcomes by race/ethnicity, generally controlling for these variables in their analyses.…”

Healthcare needs and assets of gender diverse older adults: A systematic integrative review

“…Accessible housing is a substantial healthcare need for gender diverse older adults. Only one study addressed gender diversity in housing directly, analyzing focus group discussions on LGBTQIA+‐inclusive housing (Rosenwohl‐Mack et al, 2022). One transgender participant commented, “My mental well‐being seems to be healthier, [and] my physical [well‐being].…”

“…One transgender participant commented, “My mental well‐being seems to be healthier, [and] my physical [well‐being]. Financially, it's affordable for me, so that relieves a lot of the stress and stuff” (Rosenwohl‐Mack et al, 2022, p. 5). In presenting a novel housing option for LGBTQIA+ older adults, this study illuminates the need for reimagining senior housing to include persons of all gender identities and the potential for such housing to improve health outcomes and ease financial burdens.…”