Growing Numbers of Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness
More and more older adults in Connecticut are facing homelessness, often after years of working, raising families, and contributing to their communities. In January, 3,847 people were experiencing homelessness statewide, with the number of people age 55 and older increasing at an alarming rate.
Statewide data shows:
- The number of people age 55 and older experiencing homelessness has increased by 51% since 2024.
- The number of adults age 65 and older rose from 281 to 320 in just one year—one of the sharpest year-over-year increases among age groups.
- More than 1,300 people age 55 and older are identified on state homelessness tracking lists.
- Older adults account for approximately 23% of people staying in emergency shelters and 27% of those reached through street outreach programs.
At Project HOPE, we are seeing this trend in our own community. A shocking 44% of our current shelter guests are aged 55 and over. If we include those aged 50 and over, the number jumps to 57%. For those who are unsheltered, 46% of our outreach workers’ caseload is aged 55 or older.
Why are more older adults experiencing homelessness? For many, the math simply doesn’t work. Social Security, small pensions, and other fixed incomes can’t keep pace with the rising cost of housing and everyday necessities. Connecticut faces a significant shortage of affordable, accessible housing for people with limited incomes. For an older adult living on a fixed income, finding an apartment that is both affordable and appropriate for their needs can be extremely difficult.
And once someone loses housing later in life, getting back on their feet can be especially challenging.
How can you help?
There are several meaningful ways to make a difference. Make a monetary donation to help provide shelter and essential services, or donate items from our current needs list. You can also give your time by volunteering in our shelter or offices. Every donation, every item, and every hour of volunteer time helps ensure that older adults experiencing homelessness have a safe place to turn.
