Preventing homelessness among seniors

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.

National and provincial programs exist to support seniors, so it might be expected that they are protected, but too many seniors are falling through the gaps in these initiatives. We are living in tough times for many people. We all need to help one another, especially seniors. We need to explore why seniors are slipping through these gaps.

There will be four panelists at this forum. Marion Willis, with St. Boniface Street Links, has helping homeless people for many years. She and her team have been effective in housing and supporting people who have been living rough on the street. Aaron Klassen is an assistant professor of sociology at Booth University College, an institution affiliated with the Salvation Army, a cornerstone of Winnipeg’s effort to help people who are homeless. Trish Rawsthorne, a retired nurse and manager of clinical research, is a long-time advocate for seniors. She will bring many innovative ideas for helping seniors so that they do not become homeless. Willard Reaves, the new leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, grew up helping and learning from an individual who was homeless. He is a strong advocate for those experiencing homelessness.

The forum is free of charge and will be open to the public. Following the presentations by the panelists, there will be time for comments and questions from the audience.