Seniors at Housing Risk Outreach Program
Homelessness is on the rise across Canada and the most prevalent demographic is seniors. Since 2008 the number of homeless seniors has increased 75%. Hollyburn, in partnership with federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as foundations and private donors, is proud to provide a variety of housing outreach services to seniors on the North Shore.
Hollyburn’s Seniors at Housing Risk Outreach Program provides assistance to seniors (over 50) that are homeless, or at risk of losing their homes. This includes seniors with complex needs around health, mental health, addictions, elder abuse, and financial management. Outreach workers are available to help find appropriate and affordable housing, fill out application forms, make connections to income supports, and provide referrals to mental health care or primary healthcare providers as needed. Hollyburn operates the Senior Safe House, a short term independent transitional housing for seniors who do not have a safe place to stay, where staff work with seniors to stabilize their income and long term housing situation.
The goal of the program is to:
- Prevent senior homelessness on the North Shore.
- Support homeless North Shore seniors in finding and maintaining stable housing and active community participation.
- Improve linkages and communication between seniors’ service provider agencies and increase the capacity to collaboratively support this vulnerable population.
Seniors at Housing Risk Outreach Program has been recognized across the region including two awards from United Way and the SFU Gerontology Elder Abuse Awareness to Action Award.
Supporting Seniors To Remain Housed
Supporting Seniors to Remain Housed is a critical program in our community’s effort to prevent homelessness and help seniors age in place. This program provides longer term interventions on the North Shore to address seniors with chronic tenancy issues which leaves them at risk of homelessness. These issues are typically due to complex needs which may be related to health, cognitive functioning, isolation, depression, mental health, elder abuse and financial management.
The program offers life and social skill development, financial management, nutrition support, elder abuse awareness, mentorship training and community engagement opportunities.