‘Older homelessness’ is defined as anyone aged 55 or over either sleeping rough or in unstable or temporary accommodation. While we hear a lot about loneliness in older people, homelessness or lack of stable accommodation often gets left out of the conversation. It’s something that we perhaps don’t think can happen.
Just like women and homelessness, it’s challenging to know the extent of the issue. The elderly will often fall into the gap between services for those facing homelessness and those services specifically there for older people.
The harsh truth
Key statistics from Age UK and Prospect reveal the number of older people experiencing homelessness is a lot higher than you might think:
- 9-12% of rough sleepers are estimated to be over 55
- In March 2024, nearly 3,500 over 65s found themselves in temporary accommodation
- Around 4000 over 55s are estimated to be in a hostel on any given night
Why is this happening?
There are several factors at play here.
Rising rents
There’s been a significant rise in the number of older people entering the private rented sector - an increase of 50% in 10 years.
Without legislation protection, many cannot meet rent increases or find properties that meet their growing needs. For example, properties with a shower instead of a bath or properties without stairs that make it easier to get around. That’s before we’ve considered that moving in later life can be a difficult and unsettling upheaval.
The cost of living
The reality is that plenty of people will work long past ‘retirement age’ - the age at which we can start accessing a state pension. This is mainly because many of us won’t have a choice. The increased fuel prices, household bills, and food make it almost impossible for many to afford necessities. Not to mention that many over 55 households have been stung by the fluctuating mortgage rates. Even social housing is falling out of reach affordability-wise.
Given that, for many, the state pension can’t keep up, it’s easy to see how things can spiral rapidly into homelessness, even in the cases of a person who’s worked their entire life. Members of the ageing population are turning off lights, skipping meals, and not heating their homes to cut back and keep a roof over their heads.
Age discrimination
When it comes to the private rented sector, many older people are no strangers to ageism. With only a pension as income, many older renters report being ignored by letting agents and unable to find an acceptable property.
Unacceptable living conditions
With so many challenges in place, it’s unsurprising that many are living in fear of homelessness - and putting up with unacceptable and unsafe living conditions as a result.
A report from Independent Age, ‘Hidden renters: The unseen faces of the rising older rental wave’, featured some harrowing stories. Mould, leaking rooves, rats, holes in the floor - all unacceptable living conditions for any human being. You can read the full report here.
We also found that the fear of homelessness means older people put up with unacceptable conditions. Rajia, 70, is forced to do all her cooking in the front room because her kitchen – which has a leaking roof, holes in the floor, rats running at night and walls full of mould – is unusable. Her
Young, old or anywhere in between, no one should have to go through homelessness. But the brutal reality is that homelessness can happen to anyone at any stage of life.
At Simon on the Streets, we don’t judge someone by their age, race, religion or background. If someone needs us, we’ll be there. If you need to speak to us about homelessness, whether it’s you or a loved one, please get in touch with us now.
Useful links: