- Legal EditorHenry Dahut, J.D.
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Attorney - Legal Publisher - Educator
Henry Dahut is a licensed California trial attorney. Over the course of his 30-plus years practicing law, Henry has represented and counseled countless clients in legal trouble.
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The United States experienced tremendous growth in births after the Second World War. Nearly 80 million Americans were born during this period, representing almost 30 percent of the country’s population.
This extraordinary and sudden birth increase became known as the baby boom generation.
In recent years, America has been facing a growing crisis: the rise of homelessness among older adults, particularly baby boomers.
Millions of baby boomers who had hoped to enjoy their retirement as an endless vacation are instead preparing for a new stage of work driven by the need to make ends meet. Consequently, a growing number of older boomers are experiencing financial hardship. And of those, some are either facing homelessness or are already homeless.
Several factors have driven this crisis, including the increasing cost of living, insufficient retirement savings, and the lack of affordable housing.
For many baby boomers, the challenges of urban development and soaring prices have made staying in their homes difficult, forcing them to rely on shelters or rental assistance programs.
Introduction
In this article, we’ll explore the key issues surrounding Homelessness among boomers, focusing on providing actionable advice to help those in need. On the positive side, we also look at how some low-income boomers living below the poverty line have found ways to reinvent their lives by choosing a different path entirely.
Understanding the Boomers and Homelessness Crisis
Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, comprise a large portion of our population. Many worked hard all their lives and now can’t afford basic living expenses like rent and medical bills.
This “silver tsunami” of elderly homelessness is one of the biggest social issues in American history.
Homelessness among boomers is not new, but the scale and impact of this trend are growing.
According to the leading national non-profit Alliance to End Homelessness, projections based upon analysis of three major U.S. cities estimated that homelessness among older adults is expected to nearly triple in 2030, and the population of adults aged 65 and older experiencing homelessness is anticipated to grow from 40,000 to 106,000.
Because people experiencing homelessness tend to live with unmanaged chronic diseases and limited access to healthcare, their health profiles are commonly associated with those individuals who are much older.
Further research shows that people experiencing homelessness in their 50s have been found to experience geriatric conditions such as memory loss, falls, and functional impairments at rates that compare to members of the general population in their 70s.
According to a December 16, 2023 Yahoo Finance article, boomers are the fastest-growing segment of homeless people in the US. As the economy changes and costs go up, older Americans are becoming homeless at an alarming rate.
Statistic: According to Emma Thorne, news editor of Linkedin News, the overall poverty level in the U.S. surged to more than 12% during and by the end of the last pandemic and we are still feeling the effects today.
Why Are Baby Boomers Facing Homelessness?
Several factors contribute to the homelessness crisis among boomers, including:
Economic Instability
Many boomers live on fixed incomes, such as Social Security, which often falls short of rising housing costs. This situation is exacerbated by inflation and stagnant wages. The federal minimum wage has not kept pace with the soaring prices, leaving many older people unable to meet their basic needs.
Housing Costs
Housing costs have become a significant barrier for low-income adults and seniors. Cities in California like San Diego have seen some of the steepest rent increases in the country, making it difficult for older adults to keep up with monthly rent payments.
Rental assistance programs and subsidies, which could help, are often limited and difficult to access.
Health Issues
Many homeless single adults, especially boomers, suffer from chronic illnesses or disabilities that make it challenging to maintain stable employment or care for themselves leading to homelessness.
Assisted living facilities and boarding homes may be inaccessible or too costly for those with limited financial resources.
Urban Development and Displacement
As urban development reshapes cities, affordable housing pushes lower-income residents out of their homes. Older people who have lived in the same neighborhoods for decades are now facing displacement.
Lack of Savings
GotTrouble Video Tip On How To Save More By Cutting Costs And Expenses:
A significant number of baby boomers do not have sufficient retirement savings to support themselves in their later years. Multiple recessions and the financial crises of 2001 and 2008 have wiped out the savings of many older adults, leaving them financially vulnerable in their later years..
What Challenges Do Homeless Boomers Face?
Many Boomers can’t find work and have little or no retirement savings
In 2022, 552,830 people were homeless in America. Many of them were baby boomers. It is reported that as much as one-third of today’s homeless are baby boomers, with one in seven currently receiving some form of social assistance such as food stamps.
For those baby boomers fortunate enough to still own a home, many are financially underwater, meaning they owe more than their home is worth. Many will likely require homeless resources at some point in their senior years.
Employers prefer younger workers
There is a problem with age discrimination in America.
Employers prefer younger work-to-you-drop employees, and tech giants like Elon Musk won’t hire young and talented people unless they are willing to give their lives to the company. One can only assume that older adults need not apply.
Over 55 million baby boomers are approaching retirement and receiving social security benefits. But instead of planning for a comfortable life, millions have found themselves unemployed and broke.
The major problem is that baby boomers are now out of work for much more extended periods than their younger counterparts.
Most Companies Violate Ageism Laws
While age discrimination is prohibited, it’s hard to prove that an employment hiring decision is age-based discrimination. Rather than legally fighting age discrimination, boomer job candidates often settle into a state of apathy and depression, resigning themselves emotionally to being old and useless.
Boomers adjusting to the threat of homelessness – Testimonials
You might be surprised to learn how well some baby boomers adjust to the prospect of homelessness. Many anticipating the worst in the economy have prepared for the eventuality by using technology and communication to stay connected, informed, and hopeful.
While most baby boomers today are homeless by circumstances, more and more of them are choosing other paths by living off the grid. Many have become digital nomads in countries they could afford and now cherish their freedom. Some older adults have even taken to van life – or, as Ben likes to refer to it, mobile living.
What Boomers Are Saying
The Positive Sides – Learn About Ben And His Mobile Life
There are more advantages to the almost homeless life than you might first think. Take Ben, a sixty-five-year-old baby boomer:
“Some baby boomers admit that while there is an element of grief and hardship living below the poverty line, some will tell you there is also an element of freedom and relief in the experience.
For many of us, it feels like a new beginning and a different way of being. Suddenly, I felt a rush of life stream through my veins again. I could see an open door where there were just closed ones before.”
Ben says:
All of a sudden I get to make my own choices like fixing up a van and hitting the road. I only get about $1,500 from Social Security retirement benefits, but it’s enough to live a very frugal life. Plus, I’m learning how to earn money online as a van-based digital nomad. I’m learning how to be a digital copywriter.
Some boomer friends of mine have chosen to take their meager savings and social security and relocate abroad. Places in Southeast Asia, like Vietnam, where prices are not only extremely affordable but have a thousand-year-old culture with people filled with warm hearts and inviting smiles.
Many countries in Southeast Asia have opened their borders to ex-pats who want to create a new life, make new friends, and do it without feeling judged by how much money you have in your bank account. One boomer friend of mine made such a great life for himself you couldn’t get him to return to the United States – no matter how much you offered him.
Other Boomer Testimonials:
Learn about Josh, a van dweller who turned boomer trouble into a boomer triumph.
Easier to find part-time work
Some boomers find part-time work and create a work schedule that best fits their interests and desires. Some work a few weeks and then spend the next two months doing whatever they want, including pursuing their true interests. Some are even going back to school.
Some boomers have arranged their time, so their workweek is just two days, and their weekend is five days. Not quite the retirement schedule they hoped for years back, but many spend their time going to museums and libraries, volunteering, and just trying to find work.
Some boomers see the positive side of what could be seen as a bad situation
One 67-year-old remarked, “Being homeless can sometimes be daunting. Having so much time on your hands can be hard, yet the freedom to do as you please can be addictive and emotionally rewarding.”
For those married boomers facing homelessness together, one boomer remarked, “I believe this crazy experience will create more depth and meaning to our relationship. The burdens will be shared and lived through. Ultimately, it will show us who we really are and what we want, individually and together.”
Health and Medical Care
One of the biggest challenges for single homeless adults, especially boomers, is access to healthcare. Older Americans experiencing homelessness are more likely to have chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Many of these older adults don’t have the means to pay for regular medical care, and their conditions worsen over time.
For those who get temporary housing, navigating the healthcare system can still be difficult, especially if no family is around to help. Medicare and Medicaid can help, but these programs often fall short of meeting the needs of homeless older adults.
Safety and Vulnerability
Homeless boomers are more vulnerable to elder crime and exploitation. Living on the streets or in homeless shelters can put them in harm’s way—exposing them to fraud, theft, and elder abuse. Homeless shelters often don’t have the resources or security to fully protect older adults, adding to their sense of isolation and powerlessness.
Limited Resources
In recent years, more programs have been created to help the elderly homeless population, but there are still not enough.
Some cities have piloted programs to provide rental subsidies or temporary housing for older adults. Still, these programs are often time-limited and not enough to meet the growing number of homeless people. As a result, many elderly homeless people are left without the help they need.
The GotTrouble Homeless Resource
Learn More About Homelessness and Available Resources
| AL | HI | MA | NM | SD |
Solutions and Support for Homeless Boomers
Government Programs
Several government programs help low-income older adults:
- Social Security: Social Security is a primary source of income for many elderly Americans, but it is often not enough to cover housing costs.
- Medicare and Medicaid: Medicare programs help with medical expenses for older adults, including hospital visits, prescriptions, and some long-term care services.
- Rental Assistance Programs: Section 8 housing and other rental subsidies such as help with utilities for low-income seniors and others.
Community-Based Resources
In addition to government programs, many community organizations and non-profits help homeless boomers:
- Homeless Shelters: Many cities have different types of homeless shelters including for older adults. These shelters often have resources like meals, medical care, and social services.
- Food Banks and Meal Programs: Food banks, food pantries, and meal programs provide free meals to low-income adults, ensuring that older adults don’t go hungry while they work on long-term solutions to their housing situation.
- Senior Centers: Many cities have senior centers that offer services for older adults, including recreational activities, meals, and social services.
Housing Innovations – Living Small
Cities across the country are testing new solutions to the homelessness crisis:
Watch How Communities Are Comming Together For The Homeless Through Tiny Homes:
Three Misconceptions about Boomers and Homelessness
Misconception #1: Boomers Are Homeless Due to Personal Failures
Reality: Many boomers are homeless due to disabilities and systemic issues like unaffordable housing, inflation, and insufficient retirement savings. Many more will be unemployed due to job loss due to the takeover of artificial intelligence.
Misconception #2: Social Security Can Cover All Basic Needs
Reality: Social Security provides only a fraction of the income needed to cover basic living and healthcare costs, leaving many seniors in financial distress.
Misconception #3: Homeless Boomers Have No Options
Reality: While resources may be limited, there are programs and community services aimed at helping elderly homeless individuals regain stability.
Three Fears Related to Baby Boomers and Homelessness
Fear #1: Homelessness Equals Complete Isolation
Reality: While isolation is a risk, community programs, shelters, and senior centers offer social and practical support to help boomers stay connected and safe.
Fear #2: Homeless Boomers Won’t Get Access to Medical Care
Reality: Though access to healthcare is challenging, programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and no-cost and low-cost community clinics are available to help homeless seniors manage health issues.
Fear #3: Homelessness Means Permanent Destitution
Reality: Many boomers find temporary or part-time work, and some choose to live as digital nomads in affordable areas, showing that homelessness isn’t always a life sentence
Legal and Financial Troubles Facing Boomers
Eviction and Foreclosure
One of the biggest legal issues for older adults is eviction. As housing costs rise, more and more boomers are struggling to pay rent or mortgage and are facing eviction or foreclosure.
While eviction defense programs exist in many cities, they are often underfunded and hard to access.
For boomers facing eviction, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Non-profits and local legal aid clinics can help prevent eviction and protect tenants’ rights.
Rental assistance and affordable housing programs can provide temporary relief, but these programs are often oversubscribed, leaving many without help.
Social Security and Benefits
While baby boomers rely on Social Security, they also need guidance when it comes to navigating the Social Security system and application process. This is especially the case regarding disability benefits. Other forms of government aid can be challenging to obtain for those without access to technology or transportation.
To ensure boomers receive the benefits they are entitled to, it’s important to consult with social workers, advocacy groups, or legal aid organizations that help older adults.
These professionals can help older adults navigate the system and apply for benefits like food stamps, housing vouchers, and medical aid.
Debt and Financial Struggles
Many homeless boomers are drowning in debt—medical bills, credit card debt, or payday loans. For those on a fixed income, managing this debt is overwhelming. But beware of debt relief scams.
Non-profit financial counseling services are available to help boomers explore options like working out payment plans, or even bankruptcy if necessary.
Actionable Tips
- Seek Legal Help: Many cities and states offer free legal assistance for people facing eviction or foreclosure. These services can help you fight eviction and apply for rental assistance programs.
- Get Financial Counseling: Non-profits like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling offer free or low-cost financial counseling services to help you manage debt or explore other financial options.
- Know Your Rights: Many older adults are unaware of their rights regarding housing, and debt collection. Educate yourself and seek help from an advocacy group or consumer lawyer to ensure your protection.
Preventing Homelessness Among Boomers
Financial Planning
Financial planning is key to preventing homelessness for boomers who are still employed. Even if you’re in your 50s or 60s, you can still develop a retirement savings plan and provide a financial safety net in case of an emergency.
Boomers should also look into long-term care insurance and other financial products that can help cover healthcare and housing costs in retirement. You can seek the advice of a financial and estate planner.
Health Management
Good health is vital for older adults, as chronic health issues can lead to homelessness if not managed. Regular check-ups, preventive care, and access to affordable healthcare are key for boomers to avoid situations like later having to file for bankruptcy due to medical bills.
Building Relationships
Isolation is a significant risk factor for homelessness for older adults. Boomers should build and maintain strong social networks, which can provide emotional support and practical help during tough times. Even as an older adult, there are practices such as movement therapy and yoga for older adults that can help keep you feeling healthy.
Conclusion: Moving Forward
The boomer homelessness crisis is one of the pressing social issues of our time. With housing costs rising, fixed incomes shrinking, and healthcare getting more expensive, more and more older Americans are facing homelessness.
By knowing the causes of this crisis and taking action to address the legal and financial issues, we can work together to end homelessness for our older population.
If you’re currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, remember help is available. Government programs, community resources, and legal aid can all help you navigate the challenges of homelessness.
Sources and References
Older Adults – National Alliance to End Homelessness.
How To Get A Home Health Aide With Medicaid | Runningshorts.
Florida EBT Discounts and Perks: Your Guide to Savings and Benefits
Flex frugally for savings – Stevenson Villager.
Validation of the Brief Instrumental Functioning Scale in a Homeless Population
