Piloting a Comprehensive Crisis Response to
Ensure Post-COVID-19 Housing for Homeless
Older Adults in Los Angeles County

 Project Roomkey
Project Roomkey (PRK) is a collaborative
effort by the State, County, and the Los
Angeles Homeless Services Authority
(LAHSA) to secure hotel and motel rooms
for individuals 65+ and/or who have certain
underlying health conditions.
As of April 30, 2020, there were 1,498
persons enrolled
in PRK, including 297
A
persons (or 20%) who were age 65+ at
the time of enrollment

2

 Demographics of Project RoomKey Participants
By Vulnerability Score Grouping, by Age Group, and among
Clients with any Assessment Scores in HMIS since April 2019
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

47.9%

49.4%
29.0%
19.5%

4.3%

0%
18-54, n=241

55-59, n=94

Group 1: Score 0-3
Group 3: Score 8 to 11

41.7%
35.8%

33.6%

29.8%
18.1%

2.1%

46.6%

19.8%

19.9%
2.6%

0%
60-64, n=116

65+, n=151

Group 2: Score 4 to 7
Group 4: Score 12 to 17

3

 Supportive Services for Project RoomKey Participants
Engagement with LAHSA Over a One-Year Lookback
Period Among Project Roomkey Clients, by Age Group
Project Roomkey Clients Using DHS
and/or DMH Services During
a Two-Year Lookback Period

4

 Self Reported Disabilities within Project Roomkey, by Age Group
18-54, n=312

55-59, n=137

60-64, n=148

65+, n=161

Overall, n=758

61.5%
81.0%
81.8%

Physical

91.3%
75.3%
76.6%
87.6%
91.9%
88.8%
84.2%

Chronic Health

88.1%
75.9%

Mental Health

58.8%
50.3%
72.2%
40.1%
28.5%
23.6%
21.1%
29.4%

Any SUD
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Note: Self-reported disabilities were only available in HMIS

for a subset of Project Roomkey participants.

5

 Exit Plan for Project Roomkey Participants
LAHSA, the County, and partners from the non-profit and philanthropy sectors are working together
to develop a comprehensive plan for those who receive assistance under PRK. Participants are
being assessed to determine which housing interventions are most appropriate to ensure that no
PRK participant returns to the street. LAHSA’s Housing Central Command (HCC) is working with
system partners to develop a temporary prioritization protocol in response to the pandemic.
Existing Housing Options

New Housing Options

1. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Scattered
Sites/Project-Based Turnover Units

1. Permanent Supportive Housing (New Pipeline)

2. Rapid Rehousing

2. Interim Housing (New Pipeline)

3. Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs)

3. Shallow Subsidies

4. Family Reunification
5. Interim Housing
6. Recuperative Care
7. Sober Living

6