There has been a dramatic increase in the number of seniors who are homeless. It is terrible to think that as a society we are not adequately helping so many seniors that they become homeless.

While there is much attention given to the homeless in Manitoba, there is not enough attention paid to understanding why so many seniors are becoming homeless, nor to the best approaches to helping seniors who are experiencing homelessness. As a result, I am hosting a forum, Seniors experiencing Homelessness, to highlight these issues and to look for solutions on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Bill and Helen Norrie Library (15 Poseidon, just southeast of the corner of Grant Avenue and Cambridge Street).

Our goal is to better understand the challenges of older adults who are experiencing homelessness, to look at how they can be best helped and how homelessness in seniors can be prevented. I am undertaking this project based on my experience as the former MLA for River Heights and my concern over seeing increasing numbers of seniors becoming homeless.

The 2024 Winnipeg street census in Winnipeg conducted by End Homelessness Winnipeg found one-quarter of those experiencing homelessness were over 50. These older adults were more likely to have physical mobility challenges, chronic or long-term health conditions and/or hearing challenges compared to younger adults and youth who are homeless.