Help for Homeless Seniors

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 138,098 individuals over the age of 55 were experiencing homelessness on a given night in 2023.

This is 20% of the overall homelessness population count. These statistics are startling given the many obstacles older adults face already. However, there are resources out there to assist seniors navigating these difficulties. In this post, we will review what you need to know about homeless elderly, including how to find housing and the specific requirements to apply for elderly homeless shelters.

Download Our FREE Path to Care Guide

Special Concerns for Homeless Seniors

According to SeniorNavigator, there are several reasons why we should be concerned about homeless older adults. For example, many homeless individuals have chronic health conditions, such as chronic alcohol abuse or psychiatric illness. They may be either fearful to seek help or don’t trust social-service professionals. Other examples of concern include:

• Victimization on the streets. Older adults living on the streets are more vulnerable to robbery and assault due to health and mobility challenges. Senior citizens experiencing homelessness face higher risks of becoming victims of crime, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
• Limited income. Many seniors barely afford housing, with little left for essentials like food, utilities, or medicine. In 1998, SSI recipients spent an average of 69% of their monthly income on one-bedroom apartments at fair market rent, often exceeding their total income in certain areas.
• Challenges accessing public assistance. Some homeless individuals are unaware they qualify for benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. Poor health or mobility often hinders access to assistance, while others refuse help to maintain their independence.

Next up, let’s take a look how to find and apply for an elderly homeless shelter.

Federal Programs that Provide Emergency Housing for Seniors

There are several ways to find emergency housing for homeless seniors. Older adults can usually find elderly homeless assistance by contacting their city’s government offices, local social services departments, hospitals and churches. However, there are also specific ways to find emergency housing for elderly or homeless shelters for elderly. Some examples of homeless elderly help are listed below.

• 2-1-1. By dialing this number, older adults can get connected to urgent resources via United Way. This can provide help for homeless seniors with options such as senior homeless shelters, transitional housing, and programs that provide food, health-care services, and mental-health support. Keep in mind that some of these shelters for seniors may have application and eligibility requirements.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides homeless elderly help via housing choice vouchers (HCV) to various populations who are unable to afford housing. Participants in the HCV program can benefit from affordable, subsidized housing, with the government covering a portion of the rent directly to landlords. In certain situations, vouchers can also be applied toward modest home purchases. Public housing agencies (PHAs) assist seniors with HCV program applications, requiring details about assets, income, and household members. Some may face a waiting list for access to this help for elderly homeless. Each PHA sets HCV eligibility rules for its state, but federal law mandates that 75% of vouchers go to households earning 30% or less of their area’s median income.
• Section 202 Supportive Housing For the Elderly. Managed by HUD, the Supportive Housing for the Elderly program provides senior homeless help by assisting very low-income seniors in securing affordable housing while offering services that support independent living, even for those with minor physical or cognitive challenges. These services may include housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation. Seniors can use HUD’s resources page to find Section 202 housing nearby and apply directly with the property manager, providing details like name, birthdate, Social Security number, housing, and criminal history. Accessing this senior homeless housing is open to adults aged 62 and older who meet their area’s low-income threshold.

To learn about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.