DUBLIN: Elderly Will Face Their Remaning Years In Homeless Hubs, Says Alone Charity

Hundreds of elderly people could end up in homeless hubs within 5 years, says charity

Alone says some older people will be spending Christmas in B&Bs and insecure forms of accommodation. The Alone organisation is calling for more action to support the hundreds of people aged 70 or more who will be forced to spend Christmas in emergency accommodation or worrying about eviction notices on their homes.

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More than 250 older people are currently on the Alone housing waiting list while increasing numbers of people in their 70s and 80s have nowhere to go after receiving notices to quit their rented accommodation, chief executive of the charity Seán Moynihan said on Sunday.

“Some of the older people we work with will be spending Christmas and new year in B&Bs and insecure forms of accommodation,” he said, adding that many more were opting to sleep on friends’ couches or in inappropriate conditions because they are afraid to use hostels or other emergency options.

“We believe that unless urgent action is taken the housing crisis for older people will get worse in the years to come, as more and more of us rent for longer rather than buying property. Will we see homeless hubs for older people in the years to come?”

“We’re an aging population. With the rising cost of rent the danger is in five years we will end up with homeless hubs for older people.”

‘Often forgotten’

In 2019 the charity dealt with 1,700 cases where they provided support to older people facing eviction or living in poor conditions. Mr Moynihan underlined that while Alone is not a housing agency the organisation’s 2,000 volunteers are increasingly spending time providing support to those facing housing issues.

According to the recently released 2018 Summary of Social Housing, the number of people aged 70 or older applying for social housing rose by nearly 10 per cent in one year compared to a drop of nearly 10 per cent among people in their 20s and a drop of 7.4 per cent for those in their thirties. Applications from people in their 60s also rose by 2.6 per cent.

“Receiving a notice to quit when you are younger is extremely difficult, but this challenge is compounded when we reach our 70s and 80s, and especially so during the winter months,” said Mr Moynihan. “In the 60s and 70s older people lived in the poorest conditions because when they retired from working, they didn’t have the ability to mind themselves,” he said. “We really don’t want to go back there.”

“This Christmas we want to ensure that people are aware of the impact the housing crisis is having on older people,” he said. “The experiences of older people are often forgotten in the narrative of the housing crisis, but people of all ages deserve a home at Christmas time.”

Anyone with concerns for themselves or an older person they know can contact Alone on 0818 222 024

ADDITIONAL TEXT

Lord Mayor launches ALONE and Dublin City Council Cold Weather Initiative

Dublin, 2^nd December 2019:  

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul Mc Auliffe, launched Dublin City Council and ALONE’s cold weather campaign outside Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street today. Dublin City Council’s Community Development Section, in association with ALONE, the Gardaí, Dublin Fire Brigade, and Stay-Well Pharmacies is urging members of the public to check in on older people in their community this winter.

Lord Mayor Paul Mc Auliffe said, “The colder winter months can be a difficult time for many people who are vulnerable and may be feeling isolated. We are appealing to all Dubliners and indeed people across the country to be mindful of older people in our communities who may live alone or be at risk of struggling with loneliness, health difficulties or fuel poverty.

This campaign represents the community and the whole city working together to make a difference in the lives of older people, many of whom face worries about warmth, shelter and essentials such as food and medication at this time of year. I am confident that Dubliners will respond with our usual sense of kindness, compassion and goodness.”

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE commented, “Colder temperatures can have a serious impact on the health and safety of older people, and Ireland has among the highest levels of excess winter mortality in Europe. We regularly work with older people who don’t have central heating, live in challenging housing conditions, and even people who have used their free travel and stayed on buses and trains during the day to keep warm. It’s really important that we reach out to people who may be finding things difficult due to ill health, financial worries, or housing difficulties. We hope that by spreading this message and by reaching out, more people will stay safe and well this winter.”

Moynihan continued, “According to reports by TILDA, around 1 in 10 older people have problems heating their home, and nearly half have experienced problems with damp, mould or mildew. We encourage anyone who may be concerned about their own wellbeing or someone else’s to reach out for assistance from ALONE if needed. We want people to know that ALONE is here to help with any problems they may have this winter, from housing conditions to loneliness.”

ALONE have also partnered with Stay-Well pharmacies this winter. Anyone interested in supporting older people to stay warm in winter can donate new hot water bottles, blankets, gloves, slippers and more through donation boxes in nine Stay-Well pharmacies nationwide, which ALONE will distribute to older people who need them. Donations can be made directly to ALONE on www.alone/donate

ALONE is encouraging older people to prioritise their spending on heating during the winter months. ALONE have staff ready to act on requests for assistance and can advise on issues relating to food, heat, utilities or medication.

Further information, including advice and tips for older people in cold weather conditions, can be found on www.alone.ie.

Contact ALONE on 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community. For more information visit www.alone.ie  

The campaign is part of Dublin City Council’s commitment to an Age-Friendly City.