Growing numbers of over-60s facing homelessness, charities warn

Edith with her partner, Brian. She said she was increasingly fearful for the future. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

The housing crisis has reached the country’s oldest generations, charities have warned, with a growing number of people over the age of 60 seeking help for homelessness.

Housing charities said they had seen cases of people over-60 developing health problems from being forced to sleep in their car for months, having to sleep on camp beds in emergency shelters and seeking homelessness support even while suffering illnesses such as cancer.