Homeless senior sleeping on the handicapped ramp of the LA County Board of Supervisors Boardroom.
“We are losing facilities that care for seriously mentally ill adults because the reimbursement rates are inadequate. Mentally ill adults have nowhere to go and end up homeless,” said Bennie Tinson, MPP, LARCA’s Executive Director.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. Just $44 per day is all that the State of California budgets to provide seriously mentally ill adults with housing and food at a licensed Adult Residential-care Facility (ARF). It’s not enough.
As a result, adult residential care facilities are closing, and mentally ill adults have nowhere to go. At a time when the State and the County have both announced funds being budgeted to create more residential care for seriously mentally ill homeless adults, ironically, they are failing to fix a problem that results in people who are now housed and cared for and putting them back on the streets.
It seems the right-hand does not know what the left hand is doing. There is a clear failure to analyze the whole picture and come up with a solution that does not create new problems.
Adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities get between $191 and $391 for care and housing. The Los Angeles Regional Caregivers Association (LARCA) is a nonprofit group that advocates for parity with facilities that work with the developmentally disabled.
“We are losing facilities that care for seriously mentally ill adults because the reimbursement rates are inadequate. Mentally ill adults have nowhere to go and end up homeless,” said Bennie Tinson, MPP, LARCA’s Executive Director. “How can anyone think that $44 a day is enough to provide housing, food, and care for the mentally ill who cannot take care of themselves?”
Adult Residential-care Facilities prevent homelessness and provide meals, housekeeping, laundry, and medication management. Failure to take medications is a key predictor of psychiatric relapse, which can lead to overuse of emergency services, incarceration, and homelessness.
To prevent further facility closings, LARCA members and community supporters advocate for the following:
Immediate infusion of $2,000 per bed for each state-licensed facility with 70% of their census on SSI and living with Serious Mental Illness with no supplemental
Raise reimbursement rates to facilities that provide care and housing to low-income residents living with Serious Mental Illness that is on par with those living with Developmental Disabilities.
Bennie Tinson, MPP, LARCA Executive Director.
“With proper funding, Adult Residential Facilities can take 936 homeless seniors off the streets right now,” said Tinson.
According to the California State Commission on Aging people over 50 are more than half of all homeless and the fastest-growing segment of the homeless. They need proper care, provided by properly funded licensed care facilities.
About The Licensed Adult Residential Care Association (LARCA)
LARCA is a nonprofit membership association with an emphasis on serving the population of owner/operators of Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) and their residents, who are reliant on public benefits and living with serious mental illness, formed with fiscal sponsorship from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Los Angeles Chapter (NAMI GLAC) and financial support from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Family members can rest easy and be confident, knowing their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are enjoying comfort and good company at Arboleda Senior Apartments.
“It’s really beautiful, with the look of a boutique resort with affordable rents for seniors.” said Kim Pollack, vice president of WSH Management, the manager of Arboleda Senior Apartments
(La Puente, Calif.). Seniors and family members looking for safe, comfortable living for themselves or their loved ones will find what they’re looking for at Arboleda Senior Apartments in La Puente.
The beautiful 74-unit apartment community features energy-efficient kitchens, a large community room, fitness center, computer center, library and more. It’s a great place where seniors 62 and better can call home.
“It’s really beautiful, with the look of a boutique resort with affordable rents for seniors.”
said Kim Pollack, vice president of WSH Management, the manager of Arboleda Senior Apartments.
From the outside, the apartment community evokes California’s classic Mission heritage with Spanish-style architecture, featuring white walls with wrought-iron accents, red tile roofs and a large central courtyard with shade trees and outdoor seating – the perfect place to relax during one of the region’s many beautiful days!
The comfortable one-and two-bedroom apartments each have individual heating and air conditioning units, as well as full-size closets, bathrooms and kitchens. The units and common areas also are spacious, beautifully decorated and handicapped-accessible.
Arboleda residents will enjoy the San Gabriel Valley’s beautiful weather year-round, thanks to terraces on each ground-floor unit and balconies on each second-floor unit.
The senior apartments are also close to medical centers, parks, shopping and dining and many of the services that seniors regularly need and enjoy.
Family members can rest easy and be confident, knowing their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are enjoying comfort and good company at Arboleda Senior Apartments
Construction on the Arboleda Senior Apartments is expected to be finished early this summer, and Pollack said residents will start moving in June of 2021.
“Rents range from $845 to $1,267 per month, which was partly funded by state and federal housing funds. The maximum allowable annual income is $47,340 for one person and $54,060 for a two-person household,” Pollack said.
The company already has started a pre-qualification process and is gathering basic information from people interested in making Arboleda Senior Apartments their home.
For more information contact WSH Management at ArboledaSeniorApts.com or by calling (626) 423-6995.
“Ten of the senior apartments are two-bedroom units of 777 square feet; the remaining 109 one-bedroom apartments are 542 square feet. The Magnolia at 9th Street offers apartments that are very spacious and complete with upscale appointments.”
Affordable Senior Apartments Invite Community For A Tour June 11
(San Bernardino, CA) The Magnolia at 9th a 119-unit affordable senior housing community invites the community to tour the Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments on Wednesday, June 11 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at 181 E. 9th Street |San Bernardino, CA 92410.
“We want people to see our beautiful apartment community that offers quality living for seniors at a truly affordable price,” said Apartment Manager Julio Martinez. Rents range from $557 to $807 a month depending on income and availability.
“This is a great example of what private, public partnerships can accomplish,” said San Bernardino Mayor Cary Davis. “It is a great place for seniors. They have a wonderful opportunity to improve their lifestyle.”
The Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments is a public, private non-profit partnership of The City of San Bernardino, Western Community Housing, Inc. and Meta Housing, Corp., professionally managed by Western Seniors Housing.
Magnolia at 9th is located in San Bernardino near the corner of 9th and Lugo Street. Open since February, the apartments provide seniors age 62 and older with an upscale and affordable living option. The apartments include 100 one-bedroom units, and 19 two bedrooms apartments, a pool, garden, workout room and large community room.
The $21 million project also comes with exceptional programs for seniors, and a sustainable design using “green building” principles designed to exceed existing energy efficiency by more than one-third. The City of San Bernardino is a partner in the project contributing $7 million in housing funds.
First Ward Council Member Virginia Marquez is a supporter of and advocate for Magnolia at 9th since its beginning.
“Partnerships such as the one the city had with Meta Housing are critical for keeping our city an attractive place to live,” said San Bernardino First Ward Council Member Marquez said. “This project was very near and dear to me, because it was the last one before the redevelopment agency folded up. It was very touch-and-go for a while, but we persevered and now have this wonderful place for our seniors to live.”
Support from the project came from San Bernardino City officials including Councilmember Marquez and Mayr Davis. (Left to Right) Mayor Carey Davis, San Bernardino City Mayor; Virginia Marquez, 15th Ward City Counsel Member of San Bernardino and Graham Espley-Jones, Western Community Housing President.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer beautiful, quality, affordable housing designed for seniors age 62+, with many amenities,” said Anthony Sandoval, President of Western Seniors Housing, about the comforts and tranquil living conditions that the community has to offer.
The $21 million project also comes with exceptional programs for seniors and a sustainable design using “green building” principles designed to exceed existing energy efficiency by more than one-third. The City of San Bernardino is a partner in the project contributing $7.1 million from redevelopment funds that could only be used for low-income housing.
“We also partner with an organization like EngAGE, to provide programs for seniors that help seniors maintain a healthier and happier lifestyle. Providing seniors with opportunities to stay connected and active is essential,” said Meta Housing Corp. Vice President Aaron Mandel.
“We are thrilled to be able to deliver this beautiful senior housing project to San Bernardino,” said Mandel. “About 50 seniors have moved is and are enjoying their apartments.”
“Overall, above and beyond the technology, amenities and structure itself, seniors will find a great place they can come to call home and their families can rest assured that their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are enjoying their senior years in comfort and good company,” said Mandel.
For more information or to reserve a spot call the Magnolia at 9th Street Senior Apartments at Call Julio Martinez at 909-388-1203
For outdoor lovers, there are outdoor patio areas with shade trees, tranquil fountains in a park-like setting and barbecue grills.
