More resources needed to help older Virginians facing homelessness

A homeless man covers himself from the cold while walking down a sidewalk February 24, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

As we age, we face a myriad of new challenges. For a growing sector of older Americans, housing instability and homelessness is a daunting challenge they must now navigate.

The reality across Virginia – and the nation – is that the number of seniors experiencing homelessness is on the rise.

In Virginia, data from Point in Time homelessness counts from the summer of 2023, the most recent statewide data, found that more than 1,500 adults who are over 55 experience homelessness in the commonwealth.

New data from some of the state’s most populous regions underscore the rise in seniors facing homelessness.

The largest share of single adults experiencing homelessness in the metropolitan D.C. area, including Northern Virginia, was above the age of 65, according to information from that region’s 2024 Point in Time count. In Fairfax County specifically, there was a 6.5% increase in people over 55 experiencing homelessness.

The 2024 Point in Time count in Hampton Roads found that 27% of people experiencing homelessness in that region were 55 or older.

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In the Richmond region, data from local Point in Time counts show that the number of adults 55 and older who are served by regional homeless service providers increased from 29% in 2018 to 40% in 2024.

These trend lines are all moving in the same direction and accelerating, which should create a shared  sense of urgency to address the growing number of older adults experiencing homelessness.

Fortunately, agencies focused on older adults and homeless services organizations that serve seniors have a deep understanding of the needs of older adults and the solutions to meet those needs.

Older adults face unique challenges, including a greater need for medical care, mobility issues, transportation needs, and higher rates of disability than other groups. Additionally, older adults are less likely to work or generate income. They’re often on a fixed income, so as prices for housing and food rise, they may be less able to adapt as quickly as the market changes and are therefore more likely to face financial hardships or to be pushed into poverty and homelessness.

Partnerships between homeless service providers and agencies focused on older adults have proven highly effective to ensure that existing resources are aligned to best support the needs of older adults. As part of these partnerships, groups work closely to share best practices and connect seniors to resources. For example, emergency shelters are adapting to provide more accessible space and deepen partnerships with healthcare providers to offer additional services for seniors in shelters.

Homeless service providers are also working with area agencies on aging in Virginia, like Senior Connections, to partner with Medicaid to meet the supportive and healthcare needs of seniors experiencing homelessness.

Although we maximize the resources we have, the reality remains that those resources are not enough.

There are three tangible ways that all Virginians can help and support older adults experiencing homelessness:

First, you can create care kits for older adults. Distributed at emergency shelters and elsewhere, these care kits provide some basic necessities, including soap, toothpaste and toothbrush and deodorant. For older adults, add lotions and wipes. You can contact local shelters in your region about creating and donating care kits.

Second, you could support emergency shelters with donations or by volunteering so that shelter staff can focus on working with seniors by helping them connect to resources and find stable, safe homes.

Third, Virginians can advocate at the General Assembly and within their locality for more  affordable housing that includes universal design, which ensures accessibility and makes it easier for someone to age in place. Ultimately, we need more homes that all seniors can live in and afford.

All our neighbors should be able to age with dignity and respect. It’s critical that we support older adults facing homelessness and work to prevent homelessness in the first place.

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