According to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, poverty among the elderly is increasing. More than one quarter of L.A. area seniors over age 75—those with the greatest need for support services—have annual incomes under $15,000. Providing quality, affordable housing and independent living choices for these seniors is critical.

The goal of the More Than Shelter For Seniors^® (MTSFS^®) program is to prolong the independent lifestyle of seniors and lessen the cost of more dependent living. A recent study presented in the Journal of the American Medical Association linked inactivity in seniors with depression, contributing to a higher mortality risk. In contrast, another study by the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development found that seniors in the MTSFS life-enriching, educational, creative, and cross-generational activities reported substantially improved health as a result of their involvement.

One of the most innovative MTSFS site is the Burbank Senior Artists Colony, an affordable 141-unit senior apartment complex in Burbank that includes a 45-seat theater and screening room, two fine arts studios used for art classes and as free studio space for resident artists, gallery space that displays resident art, a media arts complex with a digital video editing bay, and a computer center.

With continued support from More Than Shelter, MTSFS serves over 2,000 seniors annually with many and varied activities, including Tai Chi, computer classes, and exercise groups. A shuttle bus also provides residents with much-needed transportation, including shopping excursions and recreational group trips.

A special arts program encourages creative writing, filmmaking, music, and even stand-up comedy! For the last several years, these creative seniors have put on a live variety show at the Skirball Cultural Center as a way to raise money for the worthwhile program. Other annual special events include the Senior Olympics and the Valentine’s Ball.

In 2003, the MTSFS program was awarded the "Program of the Year" SAGE Award from the Senior Housing Council of the Building Industry Association.

In 2004, the MTSFS program launched a weekly radio show called "Good for Life" on KPFK to increase public awareness of the active lives that seniors can and do experience. The show cultivates new perspectives on aging with active seniors celebrity guests, such as actors Ed Asner, Terri Garr, and Carol Channing, and musicians including Kenny Burrell and the Chamber Brothers.

Seniors from all 15 MTSFS developments gather for regular social events like the annual Senior Olympics, where residents compete in various sports activities. In 2001, the first annual variety performance was introduced; billed as the "We're Still Here Revue," the show featured the talents of senior actors, filmmakers, poets, singers, dancers, and storytellers. The "Revue" has played for four consecutive years to packed theater houses, paving the way for its successor, the "Radio Cavalcade," a 1940s-style live radio variety show which debuted on KPFK in 2005.

For more information on how you can support these efforts, please contact Kim Ferraro at (310)642-2072 or e-mail kferraro@centuryhousing.org.