Abstract
Housing has long been considered a social determinant of individual and population health. Older adults with low incomes face several challenges to maintaining stable, affordable housing. Using data from a previous explanatory study of older adults waitlisted for housing assistance (n = 267), we explore individual characteristics and themes associated with older adults’ perceived housing instability and risk of future homelessness. This mixed-methods study identifies salient themes of financial insecurity, age discrimination, employment and health, interpersonal relationships, and trauma. Our analysis and findings highlight experiences of instability over the life course related to older adults’ current housing circumstances.
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge Dr. Ozcan Tunalilar for his support and guidance on multiple chained imputation procedures. Additionally, we extend gratitude to the survey and interview respondents, who took time and effort to share their stories and experiences and participate in this study.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.