Rather than enjoying the fruits of decades of labor, more elderly Americans are facing homelessness instead. Melver Lovette Robinson, a San Francisco native, retired in 2015 after working in hospitality, food services and for the Army for decades. She loved being around people and worked at the United Council of Human Services for 17 years — most recently, cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness. Back then, Robinson hadn’t expected she’d later become homeless herself. But the 64-year-old and her wife have been without a home for almost four years, most recently staying in a shelter. Robinson flashes a big smile when she talks about her childhood: She was the eldest of seven children and both parents had steady jobs. As an adult, she spent time in prison for theft and drug use, but after that, she signed a lease with her wife and daughter, Candy. When Candy and her wife had a falling out, Robinson followed her partner onto the street. Research indicates that a growing number of people, like Robinson, are falling into homelessness during the period meant to be their golden years. | 