Canadian shelters are seeing a noticeable increase in older adults experiencing homelessness. The demographics within shelters are shifting — a larger share of those accessing shelter services are now aged 50+, with a smaller but still significant number being seniors aged 65 and over. These trends highlight that homelessness is not just an issue of youth or transient populations—it is increasingly affecting older Canadians who may have thought they were past such vulnerabilities.
Underlying Causes
Several structural and economic pressures are contributing:
- Housing Affordability
In many urban centres, housing costs have skyrocketed. Seniors living on fixed incomes—pensions, CPP, or small savings—find it harder to keep pace with rising rents, property taxes, or maintenance costs. They may also lack savings large enough to make sudden financial adjustments (e.g., to move, pay arrears, or contend with unexpected health-related expenses). - Health and Disability
As people age, health issues tend to accumulate. Physical or cognitive decline, mobility restrictions, or chronic illness can increase living costs (medical treatments, adaptive housing, more frequent support). If supports fail—because of underfunded social services or gaps in provincial programs—seniors may become unable to maintain independent housing. - Insufficient Social Supports & Safety Nets
While Canada does have welfare programs, subsidized housing, and pension schemes, many sheltering crises arise when those aren’t enough. Long wait lists for affordable housing, limited emergency support for those at risk of eviction, and variable access to mental health or addiction services all magnify the risk for older people. - Isolation and Social Factors
Seniors without strong social support—family, friends, community ties—are more vulnerable when financial or health shocks hit. Further, many have limited ability to rebound (e.g., lack of flexible income, reduced employment opportunities).
Consequences for Seniors
- Health Deterioration: Homelessness magnifies health risks. Exposure to harsh weather, poor nutrition, stress, and limited access to regular healthcare worsen chronic conditions and raise risk of acute incidents.
- Loss of Dignity and Agency: Losing stable, private housing undermines personal autonomy, mental health, sense of security. For seniors, whose routines are often more rigid, disruptions are especially hard.
- Barrier to Getting Back On One’s Feet: Re-entering stable housing becomes harder with age. Landlords may reject older tenants, medical or mobility issues can limit housing options, and credit or financial instability can block applications.
What Can Be Done
Addressing this rise in senior homelessness demands multiple strategies:
- Expand affordable and supportive housing with features suitable for seniors (accessibility, proximity to healthcare and transit, staffed supports).
- Enhance income supports (better pension top-ups, assistance for housing costs, dealing with medical/bug costs).
- Improve access to wraparound services (mental health, physical rehabilitation, addiction treatment) that are senior-friendly.
- Prevent eviction with targeted supports—legal aid, emergency funds, rent supplements.
- Foster community networks to reduce isolation and provide early warning when seniors begin to struggle.
Final Thoughts
The increasing presence of seniors in homelessness statistics is a wake-up call. It compels policymakers, service providers, and communities to recognize that aging doesn’t guarantee protection from housing vulnerability. Without proactive measures adapted to older adults’ needs, more seniors may find themselves without secure, safe homes during what should be the more stable chapters of their lives. If you like, I can pull up more detailed stats by province or region to see where the problem is worst.
