(Photo courtesy of Council on Aging of Central Oregon)
Central Oregon Villages and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon host a special screening of No Place to Grow Old, a compelling 44-minute documentary that sheds light on the escalating crisis of senior homelessness. The organizations have partnered with OSU Cascades to screen the film on Wednesday, February 5, from 6-8pm at Ray Hall on the OSU Cascades campus. Admission is free, and tickets can be reserved at givebutter.com/AcqDVm.
Directed by Davey Schaupp and produced by Humans for Housing, No Place to Grow Old offers an intimate look at the systemic challenges and personal stories behind the growing “gray wave” of homeless seniors. While the film is set in Portland, the crisis it highlights is national in scope and acutely felt in Central Oregon.
A panel discussion and Q&A session will follow the screening, featuring local leaders and experts:
- Cassie Regimbal, Executive Director, Council on Aging of Central Oregon
- Gwenn Wysling, Executive Director, Bethlehem Inn
- Amy Fraley, Senior Program Manager – Houselessness Solutions, City of Bend
- Kerry Gillette, PA-C, Mobile Medical Provider, Mosaic Community Health
“The rise in senior homelessness — what experts call the ‘gray wave’ — is overwhelming service providers and highlights a critical need for action,” said Donna Burklo, executive director of Central Oregon Villages. “Through this screening and discussion, we aim to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations around solutions.”
Event Details:
What: Screening of No Place to Grow Old and Panel Discussion
When: Wednesday, February 5, 6-8pm
Where: Ray Hall, OSU Cascades Campus, 1500 SW Chandler Ave., Bend
Tickets: Free, reserve at givebutter.com/AcqDVm
Key Facts About Homelessness:
- In Central Oregon, according to the Homeless Leadership Council’s 2024 Point in Time count, 10% of chronically homeless individuals were age 65 or older and 35% of chronically homeless were age 55 or older
- According to HUD’s 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, Oregon had the third highest rates of overall experiences of homelessness, with 48 people experiencing homelessness for every 10,000 people in the state.
- According to HUD’s 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, more than one in five people in the US experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023 were age 55 or older. This equals almost 140,000 individuals.
- Of those homeless adults aged 55 and older, almost 25% of them were experiencing unsheltered homelessness (living in places not meant for human habitation).
- 35 million older adult households have “worst case housing needs”, meaning that they are spending more than half of their limited income on housing (HUD’s Worst Case Housing Needs 2023 Report To Congress)
About Central Oregon Villages:
The mission of Central Oregon Villages is to work as a community to safely shelter and empower our neighbors on their path to stable housing.
About the Council on Aging of Central Oregon:
Since 1975, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon (CoA) has served as the designated Area Agency on Aging for Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, offering adults aged 60 and older and their loved ones a range of support services. CoA advocates for, empowers, and guides older adults and their loved ones to live with independence and well-being.
centraloregonvillages.org • councilonaging.org • 541-678-5483
