Patterns of Shelter Use Amongst Men New to Homelessness in Later Life: Duration of Stay and Psychosocial Factors Related to Departure

Purpose: People who become homeless for the first time in late life represent a growing but understudied population. This study uses administrative shelter data to identify patterns of shelter use including length of stay and risk of shelter departure amongst men new to homelessness in old age. Design and Methods: Administrative data collected by a men’s shelter in Canada (N=1,214 first time homeless) was analyzed using bivariate and survival analyses to explore associations between age (over fifty and under fifty), bio-psychosocial issues (measured by the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix) and risk of shelter departure. Results: On average, shelter users who are older than 50 years of age stay in the shelter two weeks longer than younger clients. Survival analysis further indicated that age remained a significant factor associated with shelter departure when other bio-psychosocial factors were considered. Further, older men with pending legal issues, mobility concerns and limited community involvement were more likely to leave the shelter than those without such concerns. Conversely, older men with mental health issues were significantly more likely to stay in the shelter. Implications: Findings shed new light on the patterns of shelter use amongst older men new to homelessness in later life and provide important insights for addressing bio-psychosocial issues associated with homelessness both within and beyond the shelter system.