Realistically what happens to a single older man who becomes homeless.

[Blueshape]

I suspect this is bothering me more than it should and people will (reasonably) tell me to look at the realtionship, but purely on a practical basis;

Middleaged BF currently living with relatives. Partly because they need care, but also he doesn't have property of his own.

He has a reasonable income which means he can have a decent lifestyle, but also he doesn't have property of his own, I.e. living costs are low.

He has some savings, but I doubt he'd get the mortgage required to make that a house deposit.

I've been seeing him for a while and it's good. He's kind and reliable, pays he way etc etc, but I have no ambition to live with him, or any other man, and am a little concerned that if I stick with it I may be pushed into it, should he become homeless when relatives die.

He will inherit, probably, but not the whole thing.

I know I don't have to agree to anything, but realistically are you going to let some one you love who is bereaved and getting on a bit become homeless?

Like thousands upon thousands of others , he’ll have to rent. 🤷‍♀️

Why would he become homeless?!

Yes, but is it as easy as that? The way I hear it, even with plenty of cash behind you finding rental properties isn't easy.

Many men end up living in their vehicles because they don’t want to or for whatever reason can’t pay private rent, especially if complex situations ref job loss, awaiting UC, mortgage with ex partner etc, part of the country’s hidden homelessness.
lots end up in shared accommodation bachelor pad student style houses or HMOs. Lots do vanlife and as many of us here know, thousands become career cocklodgers.

Finding rental properties can be hard, more so in some places than others.

But generally people who have a decent income are going to find somewhere, eventually, even if it’s not their first choice of location or property.

Or they buy a campervan, plenty of people live in those now.

Actually becoming homeless seems unlikely if he has a decent income and savings?

Why are you setting yourself up as a nurse with a purse?

The "decent" income is, I suspect only decent because he has very few living costs.

This is the reality of my brother in law. He got kicked out by his ex partner (entirely legitimately, he wasn't on the tenancy, she gave him notice then removed his property and changed the locks). He then sofa surfed for about a year until he had exhausted the good will of all his friends and relatives. He's now renting a room in a HMO. He's in his mid 50s.

Well for a start I'm quite a bit older so it's more likely he'd end up caring for me, but we'll done on the MN bingo.

And surely the fact that I'm thinking about it shows I'm alive to those kinds of risks anyway.

If he would be able to evidence a regular income of £26,000+ per annum, not show up as a massive red flag on a credit check, and find a deposit equal to a month's rent, I think in most parts of the UK, he'd be able to get a room in an HMO. Might not be his dream home, but he wouldn't be homeless. London is a whole different ballgame. No idea how much you'd need to be confident of finding accommodation in London.

It’s not compulsory to buy a place!
He could probably rent a room in an HMO at least? This is what many of my single often immigrant colleagues have done for years until they can actually afford to rent a flat; which usually happens when they find a better job and / or a partner.
Those with local roots can put their names on the housing list and may live in a room for up to 5 years until they are given a studio flat to rent off the HA. (One of my female friends lived in an HMO into her 50s before a flat came up; & my cousin with a child lived in one room for 2 years then was given a flat.)

Also once over 55 he can put his name down on older people accommodation in the council housing list. They are a lot easier to get than the younger people ones.

most councils have over 55s housing which has a lot fewer people bidding for it than standard council housing.

if he’s got a job and a reasonable income he’ll find somewhere to rent - easier in the north or anywhere not London.

My brother in law is in council provided housing for men over 60. He has one room and a little kitchen in a block of about 25 - the toilet and showers are down the hall.

Most over 55s you need to have a disability. Depends where in the country, but where I am he wouldn't get this accommodation. Fewer people bid because fewer people meet the criteria.

There are a growing number of older people living in HMOs

Reading with interest. I have a friend in his early 60s in this position. He has never owned a property - always rented rooms or flat shared. His last lodgings came to an end when his landlady sold. He is now living with a relative who most probably would prefer not to have him there. He works minimum wage jobs in shops in between his modest acting jobs. I have no idea what he's supposed to do (London).

What does he expect to do?
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to have a conversation about it if you’re close.

I don’t think to should make any decisions based on information you don’t have.

In the event he ended up homeless, as a middle aged man capable of working he would not be seen as a priority need and probably not helped by council with emergency accommodation. But anyone can join the council housing register so maybe he should do, it doesn’t hurt. Most likely he’d end up private renting - possibly with rent assistance from UC if he is on low income and no big savings.

In the sixties there were lots of older people renting in boarding houses, cheap hotels or rooms with a landlady. But increasing house prices destroyed much of this accommodation as there were easier ways to make money from property

Older people who can show some kind of local connection and a priority (disability etc) often end up in HA studio and one bedroom flats in my area. Its done o a case by case basis. There is a shortage of one bedroomed flats but some are specifically designated for older people.

Yes my area has a fair few studios for older people with a disability or over 85. They are very small, but fine.

I would encourage him to apply for sheltered housing and get on the list

Abbeyfield is a charity providing housing for older people. My father was homeless and was offered, and accepted, a place in an Abbeyfield house - one room with shower and toilet, meals provided, communal space, garden. There were 8 or 9 other residents.

It's not easy but it's not impossible. There's also lodging as an option.

These are places with staff on site. If he is mobile and healthy he would be paying for support he doesn't need. It's really for older people or disabled people, not a sixty year old still working.

Encourage him to get on his local social housing register now. The sooner his account becomes active and he can bid, the better. There is a very long list for social housing properties, but he might have a shorter wait if he qualifies for over 55's housing. Otherwise, he is looking at a room in a shared house if he cannot afford to private rent.