Many cities face a severe shortage of affordable housing for older adults, especially those living on fixed incomes. The largest gap is for units serving households at or below 30% of area median income, and homelessness among seniors is rising at alarming rates. Traditional shelters are not equipped to address the mobility, health, and social needs of this population, leaving them at higher risk of hospitalization, mental health crises, and premature death.

Senior Bridge is an innovative, fast-deploying housing initiative that combines transitional housing with affordable apartments designed specifically for low-income residents over 55. The program includes 40 transitional units with on-site case management and health services, and 54 affordable apartments for long-term stability. The project will use CHIC (Community Housing in Containers) model as a central component of the initiative. These energy-efficient, prefabricated units offer a high-quality, dignified housing option that can be deployed quickly and affordably. The transitional units cost approximately $160,000 per unit and provide service-enriched housing to help stabilize individuals and connect them with care.

Units are fully accessible, feature cooling-efficient designs, and are built to be energy independent—eliminating electricity costs for residents, a critical benefit in regions with extreme heat. Construction costs are significantly lower than traditional affordable housing, and the city is providing the land and a streamlined city approval processes, enabling faster scale-up.

This project is supported through public funding, philanthropic contributions, and private investment totaling about $12,815,746.  Unlike most traditional affordable housing, the project does not utilize Low-Income Tax Housing Credit (LITHC).  The development of Senior Bridge is addressing homelessness and contributing to neighborhood revitalization, transforming underutilized infill parcels into vibrant community assets

Impact or how it will be measured:

The impact of Senior Bridge Housing will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

  • Housing Outcomes: Number and percentage of residents moving from transitional units into permanent housing and length of stay.

  • Health Improvements: Reduction in ER visits, hospitalizations, and 911 calls compared to baseline data.

  • Resident Well-Being: Self-reported improvements in health, safety, and quality of life.

  • Cost and Time Savings: Faster construction timelines and reduced public spending on emergency services.

Baseline data from local homelessness point-in-time  counts and healthcare providers will be used to track progress.