Preventing homelessness among seniors: Act early to avoid the worst
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The Old Brewery Mission launches Ancrâge, a program to prevent homelessness among seniors
To mark the International Day of Older Persons, the Old Brewery Mission is launching Ancrâge, a prevention program to address the growing problem of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness.
Alarming increase in seniors living on the streets
Over the past four years, Montreal’s homeless population has increased by 33%. The numbers for seniors are especially alarming: 44% of the homeless population is aged 50 and over according to the 2022 headcount, representing the largest age group. Living on the streets means that homeless people age to such an extent that they are considered seniors at the early age of 50.
The headcount also showed that 54% of seniors experiencing homelessness had spent the entire year on the streets. Evictions, the main reason cited for people aged 50 and over losing their homes, doubled between 2021 and 2022 in Quebec.
Ancrâge provides a concrete response
To address this critical situation, the Ancrâge program will focus on:
- Identifying seniors at imminent risk of homelessness
- Rehousing these seniors within the Old Brewery Mission network or with the help of partners
The Ancrâge team will serve primarily as a liaison to find housing solutions for the seniors assisted by the program. The Mission already has several partners specifically for this population in its detection and rehousing networks, and it is always on the lookout for potential partner organizations to deliver the most comprehensive services possible.
“Our current assessment of the situation on the field shows we need to dedicate resources to this specific group,” said Georges Ohana, Director of Homelessness Prevention at the Old Brewery Mission. “Homelessness in later life involves a number of distinct and concerning issues. There is an urgent need for action to prevent any further growth in homelessness in this population, which is more vulnerable due to impaired physical health, cognitive loss, financial insecurity and ageism.”
Crucial financial support
Ancrâge was made possible by a generous $1.5 million donation from the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation, which has made the cause of seniors a central priority since 1979. Also supporting the program is the Rossy Foundation, a long-time partner of the Old Brewery Mission.
Promising results
Ancrâge is one of many prevention services offered by the Mission, which also include Après l’ombre for people leaving prison, Passerelle for households at risk of homelessness, and Porte-clés for identifying low-income housing tenants at imminent risk of homelessness.
Since launching the prevention services in October of 2021, the Old Brewery Mission has received 624 requests for housing assistance. It was able to find solutions for 284 individuals, of whom 265 have already moved into their new home. Based on these results, the Mission estimates that its new program will prevent at least 750 seniors from becoming homeless over the next five years.
About the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation
Since 1979, the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation has been leveraging its human and financial assets to accompany and support the initiatives of community organizations working with seniors, people with disabilities and immigrants, all with the goal of improving these organizations’ impact on the ground. For more information, visit https://fmlsaputo.org/.
