Justa Center

Justa Center provides life-sustaining resources, services, and support to assist homeless seniors on their path to housing and supportive services to help prevent a return to homelessness.

Arizona's only resource and day center exclusively focused on seniors experiencing homelessness, and their stability after their return to housing. Serving over 6,800 homeless seniors since 2006, we uniquely understand the special needs of seniors in homelessness. Homelessness is often ignored or overlooked because it is hard, dirty, and often, seen as unsolvable. For seniors in homelessness, they are often hidden in plain sight. When asked, unhoused seniors will say, "I became INVISIBLE. People look at me, but don't see me."

We provide services, support and hope for those age 55 or older (average age 64). Of the 1,233 guests at Justa Center, over 40% are experiencing their 1st-time in homeless which is both shocking, and frightening. Most are well past working age or have significant health complications to earning income. Most are living on the streets due to lack of shelter beds, affordable housing, and subsidies for the cost of living. All are living in poverty - average Social Security income is just $740/month plus $59 in food stamps.

How we do it - the day center, open 7am every day/365, provides basic human needs (safety, nutrition, health, hygiene, and community). While at the center, seniors can work on regaining their identity documentation (birth certificates, AZ ID, Social Security card, award letters), and begin working with the housing specialist to identify their resources, programs and opportunities to return to housing. Additional services include a nurse's clinic, DES and Social Security support on-site, pro-bono legal services, counseling and more.

The return to housing is just the start; we work to prevent the return to homelessness for those re-entering housing. The Ambassadors of Justa Center's Extended Care program make over 400 visits to seniors who have returned to housing (over 2,000 to date) each month. These visits provide ongoing wellness and welfare checks that can assess how well a senior is aging in place, health and financial stability, and any challenges that may cause a return to homelessness.

Testimonials

"It's almost like you aren't there. You feel like you have no being, no substance because people treat you like your not there. Justa Center was where I came to be seen. It started with a cup of coffee, and when I built trust for Justa Center, it ended up with a permanent housing solution." Mavis (64) artist, successfully returned to housing in 2017.

"The Justa Center helps the older people get help. The Center helped me get past the worst time in my life. They gave me a place to go and spend time. A safe place. Fed me. To the volunteers and everyone there - thank you and God Bless you all." Tom (69)