We must get to the root of homelessness among seniors

With an unprecedented growth in the number of seniors living on the streets and in poverty, New Democrat Seniors critic, Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, Hélène Laverdière (Laurier—Sainte-Marie), and the organization PAS de la rue, launch an awareness campaign against seniors’ poverty.

“It’s time to change the discourse and prejudices against homeless seniors. We must get to the root of the problem and act now to seriously fight homelessness among seniors. The government must ensure that all seniors enjoy an adequate standard of living,” said Blanchette-Lamothe.

“We must reverse this trend, which continues to worsen and get to the root of the problem! The government must take actions to counter this phenomenon, such as the establishment of a strategy to combat homelessness and a housing policy, to reverse this trend and help seniors,” said Laverdière.

“The devaluation of seniors, the competition and performance driven job market, the overwhelming increase in the cost of living, housing and debt, insufficient social assistance, exclusion and labelling are all factors that push more and more seniors onto the streets. We must stop viewing homeless seniors as a problem,” said the director of PAS de la rue, Sébastien Payeur.