A Systems Approach to Homelessness Prevention for Older Adults

An aging population and increase in the number of older adults experiencing homelessness in North America requires a more effective response to prevent and end older adult homelessness. While there are few research evidence-based policy solutions to preventing older adult homelessness, there are several promising practices that with further analysis could point to quality policy reform. Using the five-level typology by Fitzpatrick et al. (2021. Advancing a five-level typology of homelessness prevention. International Journal on Homelessness, 1(1), 79-97. doi:10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13341), this discussion paper outlines policy-oriented recommendations at varying levels of prevention: (a) universal, (b) upstream, (c) crisis, (d) emergency, and (e) repeat. Key policy implications include intersectoral collaboration and policy design that seeks to successfully reach functionally zero homelessness by activating policy strategies at each of the five-levels of prevention. Health and housing practitioners play an essential role in policy planning, design, implementation, and evaluation and can participate in and advocate for opportunities to improve services and address older adult homelessness connected to their practice environments. Promoting research that enhances systematic evaluation of the outcomes of older adults through various housing models is critical to driving policy reform-a necessary action to promote a safe, healthy, and opportunistic future for older adults.