Summer Edition: Help Centre experiences a 15 percent increase in number of seniors facing homeless in January 2026

Back in January, 11 seniors went to the Northumberland Help Centre because they were facing homelessness. One of them is a 90-year-old woman.

In this interview, Kim Lauder, executive director of the Help Centre, said at the time there was a 15 percent increase in the number of elderly people seeking assistance as they faced the possibility of becoming homeless.

She said the situation in the county is a crisis. It remains a concern even today. The recent Northumberland County Homelessness and Housing Report, including stats on the number of seniors facing possible homelessness, is rising.

Lauder discussed the diverse reasons why seniors become homeless, including financial difficulties, lack of family support, and challenges accessing benefits, while highlighting the importance of creative solutions and collaboration among stakeholders.