Fort Worth Launches Housing Program for Older Residents
The city initiative will connect up to 105 unsheltered people aged 55 and older to housing and support services by early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Eldercare
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Fort Worth is launching the Flora Brewer Bridge Program to connect up to 105 unsheltered residents aged 55 and older with housing and support services. This initiative, which begins housing matches in early 2027, addresses the city's growing population of older adults experiencing homelessness.
Why it matters
Older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population and often struggle to exit homelessness through traditional employment due to age and health factors. The program offers a more cost-effective model, reducing annual expenses from $35,000 per person to $22,000.
The program will serve 105 residents, funded by a $1.7 million bequest from Flora Brewer matched by city funds and $1.7 million in annual federal housing vouchers. This addresses a demographic where 34% of the 1,083 people living unsheltered in Fort Worth as of January 2026 are aged 55 or older.
The players
Flora Brewer
A local benefactor whose $1.7 million bequest over five years serves as the foundational funding for the city's new housing initiative.
DRC Community Solutions to End Homelessness
A social services organization responsible for administering assessments and individualized service plans for program participants.
Fort Worth City Council
The local governing body responsible for oversight of municipal housing funds and approving service contracts for city programs.
The details
DRC Community Solutions to End Homelessness will administer the program by providing individualized service plans and assessments for participants. The city is also expanding its street outreach capacity by increasing the number of city-funded workers from two to six. By coordinating private philanthropy with existing general funds and federal vouchers, the city intends to scale to full capacity within 18 months.
Timeline
• 2020: The number of people living outside in Fort Worth began a 70% increase.
• January 2026: 1,083 individuals were documented as unsheltered in the city.
• October 27, 2026: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the service contract.
• January 2027: The first housing matches for participants are expected to begin.
The Home Front
This initiative represents a significant pivot in Fort Worth's response to the 70% increase in unsheltered residents observed since 2020. It prioritizes long-term housing stability for older demographics, mirroring regional efforts to address the rising cost of homelessness management.
Families with older relatives currently experiencing housing instability should monitor the city's outreach updates as the program nears its January 2027 rollout. Residents can contact city services to learn about the eligibility requirements for the 105 planned housing slots.
The takeaway
The city is prioritizing specialized support for residents over 55 to curb the rise in homelessness while optimizing municipal spending. Households can support this effort by staying informed on city housing initiatives or volunteering with local organizations serving the aging population.
What happens next
The Fort Worth City Council will hold a vote on the administrative contract with DRC Community Solutions to End Homelessness on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in supportive living and aging services, see Eldercare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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