Older people at risk of homelessness have become the 'forgotten homeless' according to a report commissioned and funded by Help the Aged, the Housing Associations' Charitable Trust and Crisis.

The report finds that over recent decades, homelessness initiatives have concentrated on more visible groups like families and single young people. This, combined with the fact that many older people are less vocal and demanding, has led to their marginalization.

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Joe Oldman, homelessness and housing needs manager at Help the Aged, said: "The needs of older homeless people are mostly ignored by mainstream service providers and not taken seriously by the Homelessness Directorate.

"Given the overwhelming success of the OHP Programme, funded by the voluntary sector, it is now vital that statutory agencies and housing providers take on board the vital importance of specialist services in tackling homelessness among vulnerable older people."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "Its true to say that older people are the forgotten homeless. Not only do they suffer from evictions but many of them are living in very unsuitable accommodation."

Forum Response: Shelter

Alastair Jackson, director of policy at Shelter, told ePolitix.com: ""Older people have specific problems and housing needs that can leave them particularly vulnerable to becoming homeless or suffering in poor housing. These include very low incomes, physical difficulties that leave them isolated and make it hard to access services, poor health and susceptibility to bullying or being ignored by landlords and officials.

"To help overcome this Shelter has been working on services tailored to homeless and badly housed people such as our pilot tenancy sustainment project based in Sheffield. This new service aims to prevent homelessness by providing advice and support to council tenants aged over fifty-five. Shelter is also working to make its free housing helpline Shelterline more accessible and older person friendly."