Addressing the needs of the older homeless population
New guidance on addressing the needs of older homeless people is now available from Homeless Link.
The information is designed to help local areas tackle the issue of older people living inappropriately in temporary accommodation or precariously housed and to share examples of where local authorities and providers have been addressing the needs of this group.
The guidance is aimed at commissioners of housing and support services for homeless people and commissioners of longer term housing care and support for older people. It is also aimed at providers of services in the homeless sector looking to move on older people from hostels and providers of retirement housing addressing the needs of a client group that may be unfamiliar and different to their traditional client group.
Representatives from the Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Health have been involved in the steering group on this project and have both commended the guidance to local authorities and their partners.
The next section of guidance currently being worked on by Homeless Link is on preventing homelessness in older people. So, if you know of any effective policies or practice specifically preventing homelessness in older people please contact Sarah Gorton, Homeless Link policy manager, on 0207 840 4411.
Click here to access the new guidance.
