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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBURARY AS HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS MONTH AMOUNG THE OLDER ADULT GRAY WAVE POPULATION IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, homelessness among older adults, often referred to as the “Gray Wave”, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most urgent housing crises in the United States, impacting individuals aged 60 and over who are increasingly experiencing homelessness for the first time later in life; and
WHEREAS, the term “Gray Wave” has been used nationally since the mid-to-late 2010s to describe the sharp rise in homelessness among aging adults, driven by structural economic factors rather than chronic instability; and
WHEREAS, homelessness serves as a direct catalyst for health deterioration among older adults, accelerating chronic disease progression, physical and cognitive decline, and mental health conditions, while increasing vulnerability to injury, exposure, and premature death; and
WHEREAS, homelessness among older adults constitutes a public health crisis, increasing reliance on emergency rooms, hospitals, and crisis care systems that are not designed to provide long-term stabilization or preventative health services; and
WHEREAS, homelessness in older adults significantly increases public costs, including emergency room utilization, hospital admissions, and long-term care expenditures, making housing stability and prevention strategies both fiscally responsible and humane; and
WHEREAS, older adults experiencing homelessness face heightened risks of chronic illness, disability, mental health challenges, and premature mortality, while encountering barriers to shelters and services not designed to accommodate age-related health and mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, contributing factors to older adult homelessness include rising housing costs that outpace fixed incomes, medical debt, late-life job loss, age discrimination, loss of a spouse, caregiving strain, and a severe shortage of affordable and accessible senior housing; and
WHEREAS, in Cook County, approximately five percent of the homeless population-an estimated 800 older adults-are age 55 and older, a figure widely acknowledged by service providers to be undercounted due to seniors living in vehicles, doubled-up housing, or avoiding shelters altogether; and
WHEREAS, statewide and national data demonstrate accelerating trends, with experts warning that older adult homelessness in the United States is projected to triple by the year 2030 if preventative action is not taken; and
WHEREAS, homelessness among older adults is not only a housing issue, but a matter of public health, equity, fiscal responsibility, and human dignity, disproportionately affecting individuals who have contributed to families, workplaces, and communities throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, early intervention strategies including eviction prevention, rental assistance, income stabilization, and permanent supportive housing have been proven to reduce homelessness, improve health outcomes, and lower public costs more effectively than emergency response alone; and
WHEREAS, raising public awareness is a necessary first step in mobilizing coordinated action among county agencies, municipalities, healthcare systems, service providers, community organizations, and residents to prevent and end homelessness among older adults;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board, led by President Toni Preckwinkle, and with the resolution sponsored by Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill hereby declares the month of February as Homelessness Awareness Month Among the Older Adult Gray Wave Population; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this designation shall raise awareness of the growing crisis of older adult homelessness, elevate the lived experiences of affected residents, and encourage collaboration across county departments, healthcare institutions, service providers, and community partners; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County reaffirms its commitment to pursuing policies, programs, and partnerships that prioritize prevention, housing stability, health equity, and dignity for older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Dated this 5th day of February 2026.
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