Sarah Threlfall, 92, gives Phyllis Chapman a hug at her 107th birthday party in November at the Hingham Center for Active Living. Chapman's niece, Mary Ann Sowell, is on the left.
San Diego, California – Two years ago, city leaders stood in front of a downtown motel, celebrating a groundbreaking solution for homeless seniors. Now, that shelter is empty.
San Diego has quietly shut down its only dedicated shelter for unhoused seniors, citing mounting repair costs that made the program unsustainable. The closure leaves a vacant 34-room motel, costing taxpayers $77,000 per month in rent until the lease expires in June.
Serving Seniors, the nonprofit that ran the shelter, and city officials both expressed disappointment over the decision. The program had been remarkably effective, helping 82% of its residents transition into permanent housing—far surpassing the success rates of other shelters. However, persistent structural issues, including faulty wiring and severe plumbing problems, forced repeated room closures and, ultimately, the city’s decision to pull the plug.
Seniors Landing was unique. Unlike other shelters, it only housed people who already had housing vouchers or subsidies, acting as a direct bridge from homelessness to permanent housing. Even in its final days, it maintained high success rates, with 14 of its last 16 residents securing stable housing or alternative shelter.
Yet, ongoing maintenance issues proved insurmountable. A burst pipe in January shut down multiple rooms, leading to a meeting between city officials and Serving Seniors leadership. While the nonprofit expected a discussion on repairs, the city instead announced its decision to close the shelter. In late February, Serving Seniors received a formal notice ending its contract within 30 days.
City spokesperson Matt Hoffman defended the decision, saying continued disruptions and unexpected repair costs made the shelter’s closure inevitable. He emphasized that the city had vetted the property before signing a year-to-year lease but that unforeseen problems arose. Now, security workers will monitor the vacant motel to prevent break-ins and vandalism.
While the city is reallocating funding to a new Catholic Charities shelter for women and children—including single women over 55—and designating 30 beds for seniors at another facility, advocates worry that’s not enough. Seniors Landing was specifically designed for older residents with mobility challenges and other health needs that often make traditional shelters inaccessible.
Paul Downey, CEO of Serving Seniors, acknowledges the maintenance costs were a valid concern but remains adamant that the program should continue elsewhere. The nonprofit is already searching for a new motel property to replicate the model.
Julie Porter, a formerly unhoused senior who now advocates for older adults experiencing homelessness, believes the need for dedicated senior shelters is undeniable.
“I believe it’s absolutely necessary,” she said. “We deserve it.”
For now, the city remains open to future collaborations with Serving Seniors. But as Downey reflects on the empty shelter, he can’t help but think about the people who should be sleeping there tonight—but aren’t.
