In Los Angeles, a city known for its shine and allure, a starkly different reality lurks on its streets—one marked by a growing crisis of senior citizens dying homeless. Over the past decade, a distressing pattern has emerged: thousands of older adults, some well into their 80s and 90s, have died while homeless, according to a Guardian analysis of public records. This revelation offers a somber counter-narrative to the common misconception that California’s homeless population predominantly consists of younger adults from out of state, lured by favorable weather and ample services.
The data tells a story of profound vulnerability among older residents in one of America’s most expensive regions. Between 2014 and 2023, out of the 11,500 unhoused deaths recorded in Los Angeles County, over 3,000 were individuals aged 60 and older. Last year alone saw a record high of 496 deaths among this age group—a nearly fourfold increase from a decade ago. These numbers not only reflect the harsh realities of living without shelter but also highlight a crisis that has intensified over time.
Where We Find Them
The environments in which many of these seniors spent their final moments are heartbreakingly diverse—from alleys and tents to bus stops and cars. This wide range of makeshift living situations underscores the severity of the housing crisis and its impact on the elderly. The causes of death range broadly as well, with natural causes like heart failure and liver disease being common, alongside accidents and a small number of homicides and suicides.
A Closer Look at the Affected Demographics
The demographic data paints a picture of inequality: Black seniors are disproportionately affected, representing 33% of the older people who died while unhoused, despite making up only 9% of the broader county population. This disparity points to deeper systemic issues that affect access to housing, healthcare, and other critical resources.
The Broader Context
This crisis occurs against a backdrop of skyrocketing housing costs, with more than 75,000 people currently unhoused across Los Angeles County. Of these, over 5,100 are aged 65 and older. A significant majority, 72%, live unsheltered. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has found that 90% of the unhoused population was living in California before falling into homelessness, with many being older residents experiencing homelessness for the first time due to unaffordable housing.
On the Front Lines
The story of Joseph Patin, 62, living outside with his family in the remote desert of Palmdale, brings a human face to these statistics. Despite suffering from congestive heart failure and schizophrenia, Patin and his family struggle to find stable housing, a plight exacerbated by the high cost of living and limited availability of affordable housing. Dr. Absalon Galat, a medical director for Los Angeles County’s mobile clinic program, emphasizes the urgency of addressing such cases, pointing out the compounded health risks faced by seniors living outdoors.
Community Response and Personal Resilience
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there are glimmers of hope and resilience. Wendell Stephens, an 81-year-old who has navigated various forms of homelessness, represents a poignant example of the personal struggles and occasional victories within this community. After years of isolation and hardship, Stephens found some solace and security through community support, eventually acquiring an RV through donations, which offered him a semblance of stability.
This ongoing crisis of senior homelessness in Los Angeles serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerability of this population and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. It underscores the importance of community support, accessible healthcare, and affordable housing initiatives to address the needs of older adults who find themselves without a home. As the city continues to grapple with this issue, it becomes increasingly clear that more must be done to ensure that the elderly do not spend their final years in neglect and isolation on the very streets of one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
