Older people, poverty and housing

A new report by Crisis shines a light on a growing and devastating issue: older people in Britain are being swept into the housing and homelessness crisis.

What should be a time of security and dignity is instead becoming a daily battle to keep a roof overhead, pay rent, heat homes, and afford food. For too many, the dream of a peaceful retirement has been replaced by the fear of homelessness.

A Growing Crisis

Crisis’ research reveals that older people are now facing housing insecurity at alarming rates. Certain groups are particularly vulnerable:

Households unable to save
People experiencing poor health
Black, Asian, and other minoritised ethnic communities

The numbers tell a bleak story: homelessness among older people has risen sharply over the past five years. Many are now trapped in temporary accommodation across England and Scotland — and with an ageing population, the situation is only set to worsen unless urgent action is taken.

The Human Cost

As housing and living costs spiral, many older people are being pushed into desperate measures to cope:

Turning off heating and hot water
Cutting back on food and electricity
Relying on food banks
Avoiding social outings to save money, leading to isolation and loneliness

For some, debt becomes the only way to survive, with credit cards and loans filling the gaps. Others delay retirement because they simply can’t afford to stop working. Caring for loved ones also becomes harder, while barriers like digital exclusion and age discrimination make finding work more difficult.

Perhaps most worryingly, nearly half of older people on low incomes told Crisis they would have nowhere to go if they lost their home. In some heart-breaking cases, people have resorted to sleeping in sheds or living in unsafe conditions, with devastating effects on both physical and mental health.

Why This Is Happening

This crisis is the result of years of chronic undersupply of social housing, rising rents, and an inadequate welfare system. What was once a safety net for older generations has eroded, leaving many exposed and vulnerable.

Without intervention, homelessness could become a grim reality for an increasing number of older people across Britain.

What Needs to Change

Crisis is calling for urgent action to prevent this crisis from becoming entrenched:

Significant investment in social housing to ensure safe, genuinely affordable homes
Affordable private renting, with stronger protections for tenants
Housing benefit that truly covers the lowest third of rents across Great Britain

Anything less will mean more older people suffering needlessly in poverty, instability, and homelessness.

A Call to Action

No one who has spent a lifetime contributing to their communities should face the trauma of losing their home in later life.

Crisis’ report is a clear call: with bold investment and policy changes, we can make sure older people are protected — today and for generations to come.

Download the report