Talbot Senior Homelessness Task Force Studies a Year-Round, Low-Barrier Shelter

EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot County's Senior Citizens Task Force is studying whether a year-round, low-barrier shelter is feasible, as part of its work on homelessness and housing insecurity among older residents, according to the county.

The task force counts people age 60 and older as senior citizens, following the Older Americans Act and the county Commission on Aging. In a news post on Oct. 7, the county said task force Chair Jennifer Marchi and Nancy Andrew of the county's Office of Community Partnerships have described long waiting lists for affordable housing, limited emergency options and trouble navigating available services. The county said the group is also looking at better coordination of services and more affordable housing options.

The task force's Oct. 8 agenda at the Talbot County Health Department listed a work session with Danielle Meister, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's assistant secretary for homeless solutions, and Gina Rendina, deputy director of the department's Division of Homeless Solutions. Two planning directors were also on the agenda: Miguel Salinas of the Town of Easton and Brennan Tarleton of Talbot County. The agenda listed an update on a low-barrier shelter action planning study and check-ins from two work groups, one on crisis housing and a low-barrier shelter and one on permanent housing. The county's meeting archive lists a video recording of the Oct. 8 session that runs 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Neither the county post nor the agenda names a site, a cost or a bed count for a shelter.

The County Council unanimously approved the resolution that created the task force at its Aug. 12, 2025, meeting. Its charge is to assess and recommend ways to improve services for homeless senior citizens, focusing on housing, transportation, health care and meals. In June 2026 the group completed a preliminary briefing on senior housing insecurity and homelessness and presented it to the council in a work session.

Members include representatives of the Commission on Aging, Delmarva Community Services, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, the Neighborhood Service Center, the Health Department, Mid-Shore Behavioral Health and the county Department of Social Services, along with Easton Town Council member Robert Rankin and County Council member Lynn L. Mielke.

The task force meets on the second Thursday of each month, and the public is welcome. The next meeting is Thursday, Nov. 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Talbot County Health Department, 510 Cadmus Lane, Easton, with a virtual option listed on the meeting agenda.