Climate Crisis

According to a recent federal report of 650,000 people experiencing homelessness last year, more than 100,000 were over the age of 55. Experts and outreach organizations agree the problem is becoming worse in Maine but acknowledge, theres limited data to validate what they observe. However, records from MaineHousing show a spike in homelessness among those 55 and up in 2021 linked, in large part, to the rising cost of housing.Karla Hussey says she works full-time at a big box store in southern Maine but cannot find anywhere affordable to rent. She lives in a small, damaged camper without running water in rural York County. She previously lived in her car.A camper is way better than living in your car, Hussey said, while also pointing to her tough living conditions, including sleeping on a foldable table because her space is too small for a bed. Hussey lost her long-term above-garage space due to it being deemed unfit for rent by local officials. Dr. Lenard Kaye, the director of the UMaine Center on Aging, says homeless seniors often live with health conditions significantly worse than their age suggests. In a state like Maine, these are individuals who are stoic, have a stiff upper lip mentality, who resist asking for help or delay doing that until a crisis emerges. And for them, homelessness may not be perceived as that ultimate crisis, Kaye said. Dr. Katie Spencer White, the CEO of Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services in Waterville, notes that nearly half of their population is over 55, with many individuals aged 80 and above. Spencer White is calling for lawmakers to address homelessness as a public health issue and suggests using a Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver to use health care funds toward housing needs.Hussey is hopeful that, eventually, she will receive some form of housing support.Data from MaineHousing shows that 740 Mainers aged 55 and above were homeless last year, an increase of nearly 200 from the previous year. The organizations data only reflects numbers collected from shelters that receive taxpayer funding.