Senior homelessness a growing problem
A recent story published in The Wall Street Journal titled “Why More Baby Boomers Are Sliding into Homelessness” by Shannon Najmabadi mentioned the St. Matthew’s House shelter in Naples, the Campbell Lodge.
This year’s point-in-time count in Collier County showed a 230% increase since 2018 in the number of seniors counted as homeless.
The article points out that senior homelessness is a “worsening crisis,” and some are calling it a “Silver Tsunami.” One researcher with expertise in homelessness and housing issues said, “The fact that we are seeing elderly homelessness is something that we have not seen since the Great Depression.”
St. Matthew’s House operates the only two shelters for the homeless in Collier County. Many seniors are now coming to our shelters because there are no places for many living on a fixed income to go when they lose their home. Here in Southwest Florida, Section 8 housing has a long waiting list. Private landlords are hesitant to take less than market rent for a senior. And even when there are rental assistance dollars available, there are no units to accept them.
This crisis that started with COVID caused isolation and fear. Then inflation hit causing more stress and depression. And then Hurricane Ian landed in our region one year ago and caused physical displacement for some. This chain of events had a drastic impact on seniors living on a fixed income. Some may have lost a spouse during this time which puts even greater stress on the already tight household budget for a senior living in our area.
But even before COVID, there was a serious lack of affordable housing in Southwest Florida. Apartments are going up everywhere, but few are affordable for seniors. And there have not been enough affordable assisted living facilities built over the last several years.
The typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Naples is $2,148 per month (September 2023). And the average Social Security check is $1,790. This is obviously a significant budget gap for many seniors. Add in the rising HOA or condo fees, increased food costs, medical bills, insurance, gas and utilities, and many seniors cannot maintain their home in Naples. Citing U.S. General Accountability Office research, a $100 increase in median rent drives up homelessness by 9%. Two-thirds of all Americans live paycheck to paycheck. For seniors, this can be an extremely difficult time.
Those age 60 and over are one of the fastest growing homeless segments making up about 20% of our residents in Naples. Our shelters are operating at capacity and are not well equipped for the special care and support the elderly may need. Some cannot get into top bunks, or they might need a walker or wheelchair, and there's a need for more handicap showers and lavatories.
We have taken in women in their 90s who had nowhere else to go. Our case managers work with each person to possibly reconnect them with family or find affordable shared housing. We were able to get these women placed in homes. But this is a very sad commentary on our culture today. These are people that never expected to become homeless.
We recently sheltered a senior man who lost his home and his job due to Hurricane Ian. He had nowhere to turn having lost all his possessions and his income. We helped him get back on his feet with a job in our social enterprises while he saves for an apartment. St. Matthew’s House has helped many seniors recover and find alternatives to living at the shelter.
But that “Silver Tsunami” is unabated. There is no sign of a lower cost of living on the horizon and those living on their Social Security income will have a more difficult time making ends meet. As a community, we need to find new solutions to this crisis. Perhaps new federal tax incentives for developers to build senior housing, more shared housing, zoning for increased density and smaller dwelling units are some steps to keep more of our seniors from sliding into homelessness.
Together with other agencies St. Matthew’s House is on the front lines serving our most vulnerable neighbors. If you know of a senior citizen who needs help, please contact St. Matthew’s House. We can help with groceries, meals or temporary shelter.
Steve Brooder is CEO of St. Matthew’s House.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Senior homelessness a growing problem
