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Research Report: Aging Adults and Housing Insecurity

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In January 2025, the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment awarded a Seed Grant to Community Advocates to survey and report on the needs of Milwaukee County’s older adults who are coping with housing insecurity, gather the insights of stakeholders, and provide recommendations for systems and service improvement.

Why We Need to Pay Attention to Elder Homelessness

woman sitting on couch in apartment

Housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults represent a growing public health crisis in Milwaukee County, where adults aged 50 and above are the fastest-growing population group experiencing homelessness. The physical and mental health challenges they often face can be worsened by their housing situation, and adults experiencing housing instability who are aged 50+ may also be dealing with health conditions similar to stably housed individuals who are 15-20 years older.

This project was led by Community Advocates' Andi Elliott, Kari Southern, and Deborah Heffner. The project's academic partner, David Nelson, Ph.D., at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and researcher Katherine Kishline surveyed 118 older adults, interviewed 17 stakeholders and service providers, coded and analyzed interviews, and convened team meetings to evaluate and analyze themes, trends, and potential paths forward.

 

Surveys Shed Light on Elders' Experiences with Homelessness

The surveys of 118 elders dealing with housing insecurity found:

  • Who is experiencing homelessness: The majority are male, 55-65, and Black/African American

  • Why they lost housing: Loss of income, family problems, health challenges

  • What would have helped: A single location with all needed services; more shelter and housing options; improved transportation; outreach services that come to the elder; coordinated, integrated services across providers

Overall, the system itself is a barrier. Challenges include not knowing where to go for help, long wait times, no reliable transportation to reach services, and no phone to call for help.

Key Insight: These findings underscore a paradox: the people most in need of services are also the least equipped to navigate fragmented, hard-to-find systems. Older adults with limited mobility, cognitive challenges, or no internet access face compounded disadvantages.

Stakeholders Echoed the Concerns of Elders Who Are Unstably Housed

In addition, community stakeholders confirmed and deepened what community members reported. Major themes include:

  • The number of older adults entering homelessness is rising rapidly.

  • The complexity of older adults’ needs far exceed current systems capacity.

  • Homelessness is fight for survival. Older adults are dying unhoused.

  • Funding constraints and siloed systems prevent providers from offering the integrated, flexible care that older adults need.

  • Providers are eager to collaborate and improve systems.

Conclusion: Several notable insights stand out—not only the complexity of the challenges facing older adults experiencing homelessness, but the remarkable willingness of so many people to be part of addressing the issue and identifying solutions to move this work forward.

A Solution to Older Adult Homelessness is Possible

older man on couch in apartment

Looking ahead, current conditions suggest the need will only grow. Inflation, rising housing costs, a widening wealth gap, and an increasing number of people over 50 in the U.S. all point toward a widening continuum of risk. Every person we spoke with noted that older homelessness is growing, and that meaningful change will require action across systems.

And yet, the prevailing feeling throughout this project was one of hope.

Individuals, organizations, and community partners alike believe that housing should be a right, not a privilege — and they are willing to work toward that. The creative ideas are there. The collaborative spirit is there. Now we have the opportunity to make real change. This report hopes to reflect those realities honestly, without blame, and with confidence that more can be done.

A solution to homelessness—for older adults and for all who are at risk—is not only necessary. It is possible. And this research helps to provide insights into how to make it happen.

Attend the April 28 Health and Housing Insecurity among Milwaukee County’s Older Adults Presentation and Panel Discussion

On April 28, project team members Community Advocates CEO Andi Elliott, Dr. David Nelson, and Katherine Kishline will host an interactive discussion of the report’s findings, local programs and services, and possible solutions. Panelists who will join the conversation are:

  • Bill Calawerts, MD MPH, MCW-North Side Family Medicine Residency, Outreach Community Health Center
  • Emily Kenney, LCSW, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Transformation, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
  • Matt Raymond, Supportive Housing Program Director, Community Advocates

The event will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at ThriveOn King. Details and RSVP at the link below.