Thousands of people could face becoming homeless in retirement over the next decade, experts warn.
Research has revealed that around 25% of private renters aged 65 and over worry about becoming homeless.
And 67% of 55 to 64-year-olds who rent privately say they will not be able to afford rent on a suitable home when they retire, unless they get housing benefit.
But 48% of this group said the high cost of renting means they won’t be able to afford to retire even with state help.
Polly Neate, the chief executive of charity Shelter, which carried out the research, said: “At worst, in the next decade we could see a generation of older renters at risk of homelessness.
“It almost goes without saying how hard homelessness is on older people.
“Every day, our services support older people who have been evicted and have nowhere safe to call home.
“There is only one solution. A programme over the next 20 years to build three million social homes is affordable and would ensure people don’t have to face homelessness in retirement.”
The survey of 3,995 private renters is released today on World Homeless Day.
Sky-high house prices and a lack of social housing have left hundreds of thousands of older people stuck in expensive private rental properties.
The Tories’ benefits cap means private rents have outstripped housing allowance in 97% of areas in England, leaving pensioners struggling to cover the shortfall.
There are more than a million people on the waiting list for social rent homes.
Government figures show over 8,000 people aged 65 and over have become homeless or been threatened with homelessness in the past year.
Age UK says rising rents are leaving around 33% of older renters in poverty.
It added that Section 21 orders, when private landlords can repossess a property without giving a reason to tenants, means 750,000 older renters face uncertainty and the risk of homelessness.
I'm being kicked out - but now rent has gone through the roof
Gail Hickman, 68, gave up her home of 14 years in a secured tenancy to move to a rented bungalow for health reasons.
After just nine months she was asked to leave by the landlord and now can’t find anywhere else to live as local rents have “gone through the roof”.
Gail, from Bideford, Devon, spent her career working as a private investigator specialising in helping adopted children find their birth parents.
She said: “I was promised a long-term tenancy. I have now been given notice to quit after nine months as the property is ‘required for their family’. I am a gold star tenant, pay my rent in full on time, live quietly, don’t drink or smoke and have excellent references from my previous landlord.
“My previous rent was £525 for 14 years, then increased to £650 for this property. Now rental prices have gone through the roof.
“As a state pensioner on benefits it’s simply unaffordable for me, plus all the cost and upheaval of moving again in such a short time and the money I have spent here like fitting blinds on windows, lampshades, rugs, carpets, furniture, etc.
“I am beyond distressed.”
