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

Amy Rosenwohl-Mack; Darin Smith; Meredith Greene; Karyn Skultety; Madeline Deutsch; Leslie Dubbin; Jason D Flatt

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031699

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

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 1;19(3):1699. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031699.

Authors

Amy Rosenwohl-Mack¹, Darin Smith², Meredith Greene³, Karyn Skultety⁴, Madeline Deutsch⁵, Leslie Dubbin¹, Jason D Flatt⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
² Office of Community Engagement & Support, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
³ Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
⁴ Openhouse, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA.
⁵ Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
⁶ Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.

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.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; LGBTQIA+; housing; inclusion; older adults; social support.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Bisexuality
Female
Gender Identity
Housing
Humans
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Transgender Persons*