Homelessness is on the rise in the U.S. and research indicates that the number of Americans age 55 and older who experience homelessness will nearly triple in the next five years.
Per that 2019 study, there are already more than 140,000 Americans age 55 or older are experiencing homelessness. CBS News cited the research in a report this week that also noted overall homelessness increased by 18% in the U.S. last year.
“Those providing essential services like health care and housing assistance say they’re most concerned about the aging population,” CBS said.
Earlier this year, Audacy reported on financial concerns related to the nation’s aging population, particularly concerns about continued access to Social Security benefits. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, nearly four in 10 adults aged 65 and older would have incomes below the official poverty line without Social Security.
This May, polling from the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Morning Consult found that half of all U.S. adults reported an increase in homelessness in their community in the past year. A vast majority (69%) pointed to rising housing costs as the reason for this increase.
As of last year, the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank estimated there were approximately 771,400 homeless individuals in the country, an increase of 118,300. Census data from 2018 through 2022 also indicated that nearly 327,000 people in the U.S. experiencing homelessness lived in shelters.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were shot dead last weekend, helped historic investments in homelessness and housing during the state’s 2023 legislative session, said a Tuesday statement from National Alliance to End Homelessness. Per the U.S. News & World Report’s list of states with the highest homeless ranks, Minnesota isn’t in the top 10.
New York ranks second on the list. In January, New York City Mayor Eric Adams “announced a plan to support those with severe mental illness, including a new effort to support those with severe mental illness and who do not have a home,” as part of a $650 million plan to attack street homelessness.
In California, the state with the highest homeless population, Gov. Gavin Newsom “released a model ordinance for cities and counties to immediately address dangerous and unhealthy encampments and connect people experiencing homelessness with shelter and services,” this May. According to Newsom’s office, the plan is backed by $3.3 billion in Prop 1 funding.
Meanwhile the Ending Youth Homelessness Catalyst Group at UC Berkley in California is searching for ways to end youth homelessness. Dr. Coco Auerswald joined Audacy last week to discuss the group’s work and why it is unique.
“Some of the young people we work with are young people who are currently homeless or who are exiting homelessness who we pay to be part of our research,” she explained to KCBS Radio in the Bay Area.
It all started with four interns back in 2018 and now it includes Berkeley undergrads and graduate students who have experienced homelessness. They interview others, design survey questions, design and focus group questions and more. Auerswald believes that people who are members of a population being studied are the best experts.