"For many older adults facing homelessness, traditional shelters are not just inadequate, they are detrimental. Specialized facilities like the MVP shelter in Sandy, Utah, are proving that a model prioritizing medical needs and dignity is essential for this rapidly growing vulnerable population."
Nestled in Sandy, Utah, a suburb just south of Salt Lake City, an unassuming two-story brick building has been transformed from a former hotel into a vital lifeline for seniors experiencing homelessness. This facility, known as the Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) shelter, offers a unique haven specifically designed for individuals aged 62 and older, or younger adults grappling with chronic health conditions. This innovative approach directly addresses a critical gap in services, as conventional homeless shelters often lack the specialized infrastructure and medical support necessary to cater to the complex needs of an aging and often infirm population.
The growing crisis of elder homelessness is a stark reality across the nation. Dennis Culhane, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, highlights that individuals aged 65 and older represent the fastest-growing demographic among the homeless population. This trend is fueled by a dual phenomenon: long-term homeless individuals are aging, and an increasing number of seniors are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives. Factors such as the rising cost of housing, inadequate retirement savings, unforeseen medical expenses, and the dissolution of social support networks are pushing many older adults into precarious living situations.
Traditional shelters, often designed for a younger, more mobile population, present significant challenges for seniors. Tasks such as navigating bunk beds, managing complex medication regimens, and accessing shared bathroom facilities can become insurmountable obstacles. For seniors experiencing incontinence, the lack of private, accessible bathrooms is not only a source of indignity but also a potential health hazard. In some instances, seniors who are unable to fully care for themselves may even be asked to leave these facilities, further exacerbating their vulnerability. The MVP shelter, however, stands apart by integrating on-site medical care, a crucial component that acknowledges and actively supports the aging process and its associated health complexities.
The transformative impact of this specialized care is exemplified by the experience of Jamie Mangum, a woman in her 50s battling lung cancer. After a fall in her room at the MVP shelter, she was able to receive immediate attention from an on-site emergency medical technician, who quickly addressed her swollen wrist. Mangum recounts that such prompt medical attention would have been a significant ordeal at other shelters. "There, I’d have to wait hours as opposed to come in here, be seen," she stated, emphasizing the critical difference in accessibility and speed of care. Beyond immediate injuries, the MVP’s specialized case managers have also been instrumental in helping Mangum navigate her lung cancer treatment, a level of support often unavailable in more generalist facilities.
Baleigh Dellos, the manager of the MVP shelter for The Road Home, a local nonprofit, underscores the diverse needs of their residents. "We have clients that need memory care. Maybe they were living independently before, but they were unable to maintain that and got evicted due to dementia or different things like that," she explained. This highlights the critical role of specialized care in addressing age-related cognitive decline and its impact on housing stability. The shelter’s comprehensive approach includes the presence of specialized medical case managers, weekly visits from primary care physicians and therapists, and even on-site physical therapy, all within private spaces designed to promote comfort and dignity.
The partnership with the Fourth Street Clinic, a provider of essential health services, is central to the MVP’s success. Matt Haroldsen from the Fourth Street Clinic notes that medication management is often the first and most pressing need for new residents. For those experiencing homelessness, the simple act of safeguarding regular medications can be a significant challenge. "Their medications get jacked when they’re in their camps," he remarked, illustrating the precariousness of their situation. Haroldsen further elaborates on the difficulties faced by individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. "Diabetes patients without homes often bury their insulin to keep it cold. Haroldsen said they might forget where they buried it, or the vials might get too warm and spoil." By providing a stable environment and consistent access to medications, the MVP shelter empowers residents to stabilize their health conditions. This stability, in turn, allows them to focus on other crucial steps toward self-sufficiency, such as obtaining identification, vital documents, and applying for programs like disability, Social Security, and housing assistance.
The success of the MVP model is not isolated to Utah. Similar specialized shelters are emerging in states like Florida, California, and Arizona, driven by the urgent need to serve older unhoused adults. Caitlin Synovec, assistant director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, emphasizes that access to such tailored facilities can be a matter of life and death. In colder climates, the refusal of shelter beds to seniors due to mobility or health issues poses an especially grave risk. Synovec recounted a tragic incident in Bozeman, Montana, in 2022, where a senior froze to death after being asked to leave a shelter due to incontinence, a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate services.
The complexities of medical needs within a shelter environment can also pose risks in traditional settings. Synovec notes that many shelters are not equipped to handle residents requiring advanced medical support, such as those on oxygen, due to fire safety and liability concerns. "A typical shelter doesn’t allow somebody on oxygen to come in because that’s such a fire hazard and risk," she explained. Providing enhanced healthcare access within shelters, Synovec argues, is the most effective strategy for ensuring that seniors can maintain their housing once they secure it, as health issues are frequently cited as a primary reason for the inability to afford or sustain housing.
The MVP model is demonstrating significant promise as a replicable solution. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the TaskForce for Ending Homelessness operates Elder Haven, a similar facility. Jacob Torner, vice president of programs for the TaskForce, reported that "Over 80% of the people who’ve stayed in our program this past year have moved into stable or permanent housing." The MVP shelter in Sandy has also achieved notable success, permanently housing 36 seniors by late last year.
Despite these successes, the demand for such specialized services far outstrips current capacity. Dellos reports that the MVP shelter’s waitlist typically hovers around 200 individuals, with priority given to those with the most urgent medical needs rather than length of time on the list. For those who do secure a room, the impact is profoundly life-changing.
Jeff Gregg, a 62-year-old resident, illustrates this transformation. Battling a chronic back injury that fueled a decades-long opioid addiction, Gregg found himself cycling through periods of sobriety and homelessness. "Fighting that, having a job, insurance, then losing the job, not having insurance, going out to the streets and being back in that crap, and I’d be back in the same position," he reflected on his past struggles. For Gregg, the immediate concerns of finding food and shelter often overshadowed his efforts toward sobriety. The MVP shelter provided a safe and stable environment, allowing him to finally focus on recovery. "I was able to get clean. It took me a couple months, but I just kept plucking away," he shared. This newfound stability paved the way for him to undergo back surgery, a critical step he hopes will alleviate his pain, enable him to find employment, and ultimately secure his own apartment. The MVP shelter is more than just a place to sleep; it is a testament to the power of compassionate, specialized care in restoring dignity and enabling a path toward lasting stability for a vulnerable and growing population.