Our advocacy page highlights our ongoing efforts to influence policy and drive change for aging and disabled individuals facing homelessness. Explore our Policy Priorities, Legislative Advocacy, Administrative Advocacy, and Policy Paper, to understand our impact and the strategies we use to create meaningful change.
Policy Priorities
The Aging & Disability Homelessness Advocacy Coalition (ADHAC) fights to make housing more affordable and services more accessible at home for older adults and people with disabilities. To accomplish these goals, the coalition is pursuing two key priorities:
- Targeted rental subsidies for older adults and people with disabilities. High housing costs make it hard for older adults and people with disabilities to keep their homes. Rental subsidies can help prevent and reduce homelessness. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness found that rental assistance programs helped reduce homelessness among veterans by 55% from 2010 to 2022. This data suggests California make a meaningful dent in homelessness among older adults and people with disabilities through a state rental assistance program.
- Expanded access to Medi-Cal services that support independent living. Many people with disabilities and older adults are forced into homelessness because they can no longer live alone without support. Medi-Cal allows people who have complex health challenges to live independently in their communities through various programs, including the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Assisted Living Waiver (ALW), and Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver (HCBAW). Often, regulatory obstacles prevent people experiencing homelessness from accessing these critical programs. By removing these barriers, California can help people stay in their homes and exit homelessness.
Review our detailed policy recommendations.
Current Year
ADHAC is in the process of determining its current year legislative priorities.
Past Year
Also known as the Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities Housing Stability Act (Caballero), would have created a targeted rental assistance pilot program to prevent and end homelessness among older adults and people with disabilities. SB 37 passed both houses of the California legislature with near unanimous support in 2024 but was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Signed into law in 2023, incentivizes developers seeking funding through the California Multifamily Housing Program to build projects that include housing units for people experiencing homelessness who are eligible for the California Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Assisted Living Waiver, and Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver.
Documents:
Current Year
Letter encouraging the California Department of Health Care Services to expand HCBA waiver program capacity and to engage stakeholders in the transition of HCBA wavier services to managed care.
Past Year
re: Home and Community-Based Alternatives-Assisted Living Waiver (HCBA-ALW) integration stakeholder input for Medi-Cal beneficiaries experiencing homelessness. (May 2023)
Impact
Check back soon to learn more about our advocacy impact.