There is an escalating housing and homelessness crisis across Great Britain, meaning more people having to endure the hardship and trauma of not having somewhere to call home. This research shines a new light on a group who have been drawn into this crisis, putting them at risk of homelessness in later life. It shows the devastating impact when the threat of homelessness becomes a reality in later life, and the additional barriers older people face to leaving homelessness behind. 

Based on a survey of over 1,600 low-income adults aged 55+ across England, Scotland and Wales, the research gives stark insight into the difficulties older people are now facing across Great Britain to meet rising housing and living costs. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 13 people aged 55+ who were using Crisis’ services, to generate insights into causes and experiences of homelessness among older people. 

 

Key findings 

• Nearly three-quarters (73%) of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their living costs are higher than they’ve ever been. Dependent on their current living situations, some people struggled more with living costs. For example, eight out of 10 (84%) of those older people without savings said their living costs are higher than ever. 

• Given the increases in living costs older people reported, it was also clear that many had taken and/or were planning to take action to try and save money where they could. Almost seven out of 10 (67%) had cut back their household budget in the last 6 months. 

• The pressure of housing costs was causing many low-income older people to go into debt and experience financial distress. Over half (57%) of older people surveyed said that they had made at least one financial change in the last six months to meet housing costs. 

• The financial struggles and strains older people reported to keep a roof over their head had consequences for their well-being and wider aspects of their lives. Eight out of 10 (86%) survey respondents reported some kind of impact on other areas of their lives such as increase mental distress and seeing friends and family less, resulting in greater isolation. 

• The survey revealed starkly that many older people are living without any means of providing security if an unfortunate life event was to occur and housing costs were too much. The survey found that nearly half (47%) of low-income older people did not believe or have any certainty they would have somewhere else to live - or someone who could help them if they were to lose their home. 

• Older people encountering homelessness experience difficulties with staying healthy and managing their health without a safe and secure place to call home. They also encounter barriers to leaving homelessness including age discrimination in the private rented market and jobs market, digital barriers to employment, and declining physical health and fitness meaning they could be overlooked for younger people. 

• Almost seven out of 10 (68%) stated that housing was an important issue or the most important issue in their retirement planning. Yet retirement looks a precarious proposition for older people on low incomes. Almost one in 5 (17%) low-income older people surveyed stated they would like to retire soon but cannot afford to because of housing costs.