Information: Facts and Figures
Older Homelessness Facts and Figures
The low priority given to older homeless people is reflected in the lack of comprehensive statistical evidence showing the true extent of the problem. The following figures give an indication of older homelessness based on the most recent research available. Older homeless people are defined by the UK Coalition on Older Homelessness as those who are 50+ and are sleeping rough or living in inappropriate temporary accommodation, or are at risk of imminent homelessness.
Why are older homeless people less visible than other groups?
The vast majority of older homeless people are invisible because they are often trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Older people sleeping rough frequently hide from view and are not easily identifiable. One study found that 70% of those sleeping rough stayed in isolated or hidden spots (Crane 1997). Older homeless people may not have any contact with statutory or voluntary services, so their needs are not registered. They may not be in receipt of any benefits and will not appear in official housing statistics if they have referred themselves to a bed and breakfast hotel. Official statistics only show those older people accepted by local authorities as vulnerably homeless due to age and this is dependent on the interpretation of the homelessness legislation adopted by individual local authorities (Crane 1997).
Older People Sleeping Rough
How many older people are sleeping rough?
In 2003 2,808 people were contacted on the streets by outreach teams in London. 18% of them (527 people) were over the age of 50 (CHAIN 2004). There are lots of problems with the rough sleeper counts, particularly for this population who are more likely to be hidden. Across England the official figures from the rough sleeper counts and HIP returns from local authorities for June 2004 are that there were 508 people sleeping rough in England on any single night (ODPM 2004). In Scotland the figure for 2003 was 328 people (Scottish Executive 2003). There are no official figures for Wales but estimates are in the hundreds. The evidence is that between 18 and 39% of rough sleepers are over the age of 50 years (CHAIN and Crane 1999).
Are older people more vulnerable on the streets?
St Mungos have recently carried out a survey of 1,534 homeless people on the streets and in emergency shelters.They found that 1 in 4 are over 50 years of age. 50% of those people had been homeless for over 2 years. The survey looked at the multiple problems experienced by older homeless people on top of homelessness. 56% are alcohol dependent, 48% have mental health problems, 47% have physical health problems, 25% have challenging behaviour issues. Many of these problems overlap, 43% of the older people surveyed had 4 or more problems in addition to their homelessness (St Mungos 2004). This is consistent with findings from research with homeless link member agencies on working with people with multiple needs which showed that almost 60% of people they were working with over the age of 50 had three or more presenting problems in addition to homelessness (Bevan and Van Doorn 2002). Many older people do not survive sleeping rough over an extended period and die without any recognition of their plight or circumstances.Studies in the 1990's for Crisis found that the average age of death of people recorded as homeless on coroners' reports varies between 42 and 53 years of age (Grenier 1996, Keyes and Kennedy 1992).Because of the effects of rough sleeping on physical and mental health the ageing process is often accelerated. This means that even people in their 50s may exhibit health problems normally associated with an older population. Older people sleeping rough are in greater danger on the streets and are more likely to be physically assaulted (Grenier 1996). Some older people avoid using day centres or hostels due to a fear that they may be assaulted or robbed.
Older People in Temporary Accommodation
How many older people are living in hostels?
An estimated 5,000 older people are living in inappropriate hostel accommodation in England. This figure has been reached using CORE data of people in supported housing on a temporary basis. This does not include smaller providers, but does include some types of supported housing that are not hostel like (Pannell and Palmer 2004).Recent research by Homeless Link shows that hostel beds in London are silted up with 46% of people ready to move on but unable to for lack of options. People are waiting between 12 and 18 months in hostels after they are ready, the waiting time is longer for those needing supported accommodation.
How many older people are living in bed and breakfast hotels?
It is estimated that there are 12,000 older people self placed in Bed and Breakfasts or other boarded accommodation at any one time in the UK.This estimate is derived from DWP information on those in receipt of Hosing Benefit.Around 6,000 are aged 50-64 and 6,000 aged 65+.There is no information about the average length of stay and so no basis for estimating an over-the-year-figure (Pannell and Palmer 2004).
Other groups of homeless people
It is estimated that there are 24,000 older people staying with friends or family in overcrowded conditions in England.They are not the owner or tenant of the property (nor their partner) and at least one adult does not have their own bedroom.The accommodation is insecure because they such people have no legally enforceable right to stay there.It is also inadequate because the older person or one of the other adults has to sleep in the living room or share inappropriately.It is estimated there are, at any one point in time, 500 older people at imminent risk of eviction and 100 older people due to be released from prison with nowhere to go.The number of older people due for discharge from hospital with no appropriate home to go to is unknown (Pannell and Palmer 2004).
Conclusions
How many older people are unofficially homeless in England and Wales?
Based on the statistical information outlined above we can roughly estimate that up to 42,000 older people are unofficially homeless in England and Wales (Pannell and Palmer).
How many older people homeless people are 'officially' accepted as homeless by their local authority?
In the year to April 2003, 4,420 households were accepted as statutorily homeless in England because of vulnerability related to old age.This represented 3% of all acceptances in England (ODPM 2004).However, guidance to local authorities suggests that 'old age' should be defined as people aged 60+, although some local authorities may consider people aged 50+.This means that most older people over 50 may not be accepted as homeless due to old age depending on the interpretation of individual local authorities (Crane 1999).
Are politicians aware of problems facing older homeless people?
There is a lack of awareness of older homelessness as a specific aspect of the overall problem.An analysis of Hansard showed that between October 1998 and July 2000, there were 326 items on homelessness, of which 24% referred to young people, yet less than one per cent made any reference at all to older people (Warnes and Crane 2000).
Sources
Bevan, P. and van Doorn, A. 2002. Good Practice Briefing on Multiple Needs. Homeless Link.
CHAIN Annual Rough Sleeping Bulletin for London Broadway 2003.
Crane, M. 1999. Understanding Older Homeless People. Open University Press.
Warnes, T & Crane, M. 2000. Unpublished research study commissioned by: Bondway HA, St.Mungo's, and Thames Reach.
Crane, M. 1997. Homeless Truths: Challenging the Myths about Older Homeless People. Help the Aged
Grenier, P. 1996. Still Dying for a Home. Crisis
Keyes, S. and Kennedy, M. 1992. Sick to death of homelessness. An Investigation into the links between homelessness, health and Mortality. Crisis.
ODPM Homelessness statistics 2003/2004.
Pannell, J. and Palmer, G. 2004. Coming of Age: opportunities for older homeless people under Supporting People. Coalition on Older Homelessness.
St Mungos. The Big Survey 50-50. November 2004.
