Harder Secures $500,000 for Housing Homeless and At-Risk Seniors in Lodi

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced he has secured $500,000 for a new housing project to get at-risk and homeless seniors off the streets in San Joaquin County. The federal funding was secured by Rep. Harder through a Community Project Funding (CPF) grant and will go towards building a new senior affordable housing facility at Salas Park in Lodi and will have 54 new senior housing units.

“The homelessness crisis in San Joaquin County is absolutely heartbreaking. We need to make sure our seniors have the support they need so they are not forced to live on the street,” said Rep. Harder. “I’m glad we’re bringing home this funding for a new affordable housing center in Lodi so vulnerable and at-risk seniors never end up on the streets again.”

“California is experiencing a statewide shortage of affordable senior housing as changing demographics demand it. The City of Lodi, like many bay area adjacent communities, has seen significant growth but often leaves out some of our most vulnerable elderly. There are few, if any, affordable housing options to choose from for low-income seniors. In San Joaquin County, 61.4% of senior renters are rent burdened and 11.6% of seniors live below the poverty line,” said Peter W. Ragsdale Executive Director Housing Authority County of San Joaquin. “Researchers and affordable housing advocates have concluded that fixed incomes and skyrocketing rents will continue to grow, resulting in seniors being the largest population pushed into homelessness. We applaud Congressman Harder’s support in making this important investment in protecting seniors in the City of Lodi.”

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