The number of Fredericton seniors seeking refuge in homeless shelters has witnessed a significant rise in recent years, a trend attributed to escalating living costs and a dearth of suitable housing options. Warren Maddox, executive director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters, estimates a surge of 20 to 30 percent since 2021, a trend he anticipates will persist. The aging population of Baby Boomers is projected to further fuel this increase over the next decade. Madeleine Gaudet, board president of Stepping Stone Senior Centre, expressed shock at the surge but acknowledged that warning signs were evident. Seniors with fixed incomes are particularly susceptible to the impact of rising housing costs. This issue extends beyond Fredericton, as a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported a national uptick in seniors accessing shelters. The situation underscores the need for more housing options tailored to the unique needs of older adults. Warren Maddox emphasizes the inadequacy of shelters in meeting the medical, mobility, and cognitive needs of aging individuals, calling for a broader range of housing options. Madeleine Gaudet hopes that this situation will serve as a wake-up call, prompting a collective effort to address affordable housing and food. A response from the Department of Social Development was not received in time for this report.
Fredericton Seniors Facing Homelessness as Living Costs Rise
