Number of older people with housing difficulties on the rise, charities say

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

There has been a significant rise in the number of older people with housing difficulties, according to two charities.

Alone, which represents older people, and Threshold, which advocates for those with housing difficulties, have reported working with increasing numbers of older people in relation to eviction notices, high rents, poor housing conditions and homelessness.

Alone said there had been a 40 per cent increase in older people experiencing housing difficulties in 2023 compared with the previous year.

The number of older people in private rental accommodation had almost doubled between 2016 and 2022, according to Census figures.

The charities urged the Government to implement the recommendations in their report published last May called Double Deficit.

It found that older and ageing renters faced both a deficit in the private rental sector in relation to affordability, quality and security as well as a strategic deficit, in the form of a plan for the growing cohort of the population.

The report advised that the Government ensure that 25 per cent of social housing is for older people, to continue to invest in the housing adaptation grant scheme and provide incentives for private landlords, and ensure the adequacy of the state pension.

The study also said the lack of data for older people’s accommodation is “an immediate problem” that requires attention.

National advocacy manager at Threshold Ann-Marie O’Reilly said: “The Census data tells us that the number of people over 65 renting from a private landlord increased by 83 per cent between 2016 and 2022.

“That is almost 7,700 additional renters over 65 living in the private rental sector, which, in its current form, is not suitable for ageing and older renters, as shown by the research.

“To realise the recommendations in this report and to make certain that this Government, and all future governments, are committed to ensuring that all, young and old, have a secure, affordable place to call home, the right to housing must be enshrined in our Constitution.

“In particular, this will be an important catalyst to realise many of the recommendations in this report to ensure older people can live with security and dignity in their homes.”

Chief executive of Alone Sean Moynihan said: “It is particularly surprising to us that although additional funding was provided for Housing Adaptation Grants in Budget 2024, the long-awaited review of the grants has not been published.

“The department originally committed to publishing the waiting lists for the grants by the end of 2019. More than four years on, this has not been done. A review into the grants was then to be published by the end of 2022. This has not been published either.

“Older people use these grants for works such as adapting their shower facilities, installing central heating, putting in stairlifts and other vital works.

“Sixty per cent of people use the grants for bathroom adaptations and this is where most falls happen.

“It is beyond belief that people are at times waiting more than a year to do this necessary work. While the focus in housing is mostly about first-time buyers, practical things can be done to improve housing for older people now.”