Aging in SROs

The mounting concern about designing cities that are “age-friendly” has drawn attention to the challenges of aging in place experienced by low-income and formerly unhoused older adults, including those living in single-room occupancy hotels (SROs). Aging in SROs is of interest because SROs are becoming Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) for San Francisco’s low-income and formerly unhoused older adults from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. 

This project seeks to better understand the expectations of and struggles for “aging in place” among diverse older adults who live in Single Room Occupancy hotels (SROs) by involving them as guides and advisors in the production of knowledge. 

From Payday to Plate: A Day with Chuckie C

Experience a routine payday in the life of Chuckie C, an older adult living on a fixed income in an SRO. He takes us grocery shopping with budget-savvy wisdom before returning to his modest kitchen to cook us "real soul food" of smothered turkey wings, red beans and rice, corn bread, and collard greens.

"The definition of soul food is food that's made with love. In other words, you put your heart into it," Chuckie C explains, revealing how true culinary richness comes from intention. This isn't just about stretching dollars — it's about preserving tradition, finding abundance in simplicity, and nourishing the body with food made from the heart.

This project is a partnership between At Home With Growing Older (AHWGO), Curry Senior Center, and UCSF.

Supported by the UCSF Resource Allocation Program Pilots for Anti-Racism Research and by the UCSF Pepper Center (P30 AG044281), which promotes promising research aimed at better understanding and addressing late-life disability in vulnerable populations. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the sponsors.