ABSTRACT
Social isolation of the poor is endemic to most large American cities. The Senior Housing Preservation – Detroit Coalition (SHP-D), a volunteer organization without paid staff, organized to protect low-income senior housing in the urban core and promote development of naturally occurring affordable housing. SHP-D issued a statement of concern to alert the City of Detroit, advocates for older adults, and funders that the social isolation of this population could result in death and misery for those locked in their apartments. SHP-D has developed a constructive engagement with the City of Detroit in its ongoing efforts to develop new and preserve existing quality, affordable housing for this population. Social workers with training in gerontology have great opportunity to participate in coalitions like SHP-D as ways to use their backgrounds and training to be part of concrete solutions. COVID-19 pandemic environment is a critical example of how health and housing merge.
