Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age said: “New figures released today show that 15,690 older households were at risk of homelessness in the year to the end of September 2025, a number that has increased by 79% in the last 5 years.
“While the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act in May will soon mean the outlawing of ‘No Fault’ evictions in England, we know that affordability, another major cause of homelessness in later life is still not being addressed. Some of the older private renters we speak to are really struggling with affording their rent, which can lead to being evicted, with almost 3 in 5 (57%) telling us that it had increased in the last year.
“As time goes on, rent rises outstrip the Housing Benefit that is paid. When older renters experience a shortfall in their Housing Benefit, many end up cutting back on other essentials to dangerous levels, filling the gap from their often low incomes. This can mean they wash only once a week, skip meals or only heat one room. An adequate level of Housing Benefit is crucial to making sure older people in financial hardship have secure and affordable homes. The current situation is unsustainable and puts older renters at risk of homelessness. The UK Government must act.”