Fredericton Elderly According to Fredericton Homeless Shelter Executive Director Warren Maddox, many homeless people have used the homeless shelter in recent years.
He estimates that number may have increased by 20% to 30% since he first noticed the increase in 2021. He predicts the trend will continue.
“The numbers will continue to go up. It's not a question of 'if' – they will continue to go up,” he said.
Maddox cited rising living costs and a lack of suitable housing costs as reasons for some seniors falling into hardship, and he predicts the upward trend will continue over the next decade as the baby boom generation ages.
Warning signs, fear
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Stepping Stone Senior Center board chair Madeleine Gaudet said she was shocked by the increase, but that warning signs were there.
“You hear people say, ‘Next thing you know, we’re going to have some seniors who are homeless.’ And that’s where we are now,” she said.
She hasn’t spoken to seniors facing homelessness, but she said some are concerned about rising housing prices — especially for those on fixed incomes.
“You can hear concerns being expressed that there are older people in our community who are not doing well financially,” she said.
This isn’t just happening in Fredericton. article An article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in May reported an increase in the number of people over 50 entering shelters across the country.
Need to speak out
Maddox said the devices are not designed for the medical, mobility and cognitive needs of older adults.
“It's not a good environment for people in their 60s, or even their 70s or 80s. It's not a good place,” he said.
He would like to see more housing options for seniors.Gaudet hopes this will serve as a warning.
“We should all speak up and say what we can do to address the issue of affordable housing and affordable food,” she said.
The Ministry of Social Development did not respond to an interview request by deadline.
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