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Older Adults

Homelessness among adults age 55+ in Minnesota

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Older adults can have different experiences with homelessness than younger people

The issues we face as we age – including health concerns and fixed income – are magnified by the difficult conditions associated with being homeless.

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12% of Minnesota’s homeless population are adults age 55 or older

Minnesota Homeless Study 2023 Older Adults

Key Findings

More older adults are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota than ever before. 

  • Older adults were the only age group that saw an increase in homelessness (7% increase) between 2018 and 2023.

 

Homelessness complicates the health issues and limitations that can coincide with aging.

  • About one-third of older adults experiencing homelessness report having cognitive issues (38%) or difficulty taking care of their own daily needs (31%).

 

Even with access to the public benefits that are associated with age or disability (like Social Security), older adults experiencing homelessness cannot afford their basic needs. 

  • The most common sources of income for older adults experiencing homelessness are Social Security (senior, survivor, or disability benefits) (55%) and General Assistance (27%)
  • Median monthly income pf older adults experiencing homelessness is $875 per month.

4 in 10 older adults experiencing homelessness have slept outside at least one night

  • Nearly three-quarters of older adults experiencing homelessness (72%) slept in a shelter or transitional housing program for one or more nights in the month before the Homeless Study

 

People who are first homeless at 50 or older are less often impacted by the experiences that prolong or speed entry into homelessness.

  • 48% of older adults experiencing homelessness became homeless for the first time at age 50 or older