How do older people become homeless?
ELAHP recently participated in a three-country study of the causes and contributing factors for elder homelessness. The Boston results of the study showed that race, income level and health issues are all factors in predicting homelessness for older adults. Other key factors are social isolation and willingness to seek help. According to the study, a “typical” homeless older adult is an African-American man who in spite of numerous, chronic health concerns is able to work steadily at a low-wage job. When his health worsens to the point that he is unable to work, he loses his income. He becomes homeless because he doesn’t have an informal support network and is reluctant to ask for help.
