Residential long-term care facilities, known as “board and care” homes in California, are closing rapidly. Supporters argue these homes are essential for providing housing and care for the poor, while critics believe they promote the institutionalization of people with disabilities and should be eliminated. Fieldwork conducted over 18 months in Los Angeles reveals that while board and cares offer vital shelter and sustenance, they also trap residents in degrading conditions due to a phenomenon termed “slow abandonment” by the state. Residents find themselves constrained by neoliberal policies and economic forces, leaving them with limited options. Their critiques of their situation extend beyond simple reforms aimed at preserving these facilities. To effectively address the challenges faced by residents, a transformative approach is needed that focuses on creating supportive structures that affirm life and dignity, rather than maintaining the current system.