Shelter/housing options, supports and interventions for older people experiencing homelessness

November 09, 2022

Canham, S.L., Humphries, J., Moore, P., Burns, V., & Mahmood, A. (2022). Shelter/housing options, supports, and interventions for older people experiencing homelessness. Ageing & Society, 42, 2515-2641. doi:10.1017/S0144686X21000234   

While experiences of later-life homelessness are known to vary, classification of shelter, housing and service models that meet the diverse needs of older people with experiences of homelessness (OPEH) are limited. To address this gap, a scoping review was conducted of shelter/housing options, supports and interventions for OPEH. Fourteen databases were searched for English-language peer-reviewed and/or empirical literature published between 1999 and 2019, resulting in the inclusion of 22 sources. Through a collaborative, iterative process of reading, discussing and coding, data extracted from the studies were organised into six models: (1) long-term care, (2) permanent supportive housing (PSH), including PSH delivered through Housing First, (3) supported housing, (4) transitional housing, (5) emergency shelter settings with health and social supports, and (6) case management and outreach.   

Keywords:

Homelessness; supportive housing; support services; emergency shelter; scoping review