HUDSON, Fla. — The face of homelessness is constantly changing and some shelters are now seeing a growing senior population. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says those 50 and older are the fastest growing age group experiencing homelessness and that those 55 and older make up nearly 20% of the sheltered homeless.

What You Need To Know

  • A study shows people 50 and older are the fastest growing age group experiencing homelessness and that those 55 and older make up nearly 20% of the sheltered homeless in the U.S. 

  • Shelters in Florida are noticing their residents are trending towards seniors

  • David Madore experienced homeless after his partner died and he could no longer pay the bills 

These statistics are showing up at shelters in Tampa Bay, as they continue to see a growing number of seniors seeking for help.

At the R.O.P.E Center in Hudson, 65-year-old David Madore has had a rough life in recent years. He shared an apartment with a partner who died suddenly late last year.

Madore said that he took nearly full-time care of his partner and didn’t have a full-time job. After his partner’s death, he says the bills started to pile up and he could no longer afford his apartment and eventually ended up sleeping on the streets. 

“I never want to be in that situation again. I was scared,” Madore said. 

He says one night he was attacked and robbed of his phone. After that encounter, he says he sought out help and eventually ended up at the R.O.P.E. Center. 

“If I didn’t have this place, I don’t know what I would do. I’d still be out there,” Madore said.

Madore was helped by Gregory Hicks, who is a Clinical Social Worker at the R.O.P.E Center. He has worked with the homeless for years. He said that Madore’s story is becoming all too common at the center. 

“Probably 1 of every 5 to 8 of the people who come to our gate is a senior who can no longer afford where they are living,” he said. “They are not coming with backgrounds of substance abuse or anything like that, but a lot of it is coming from losing their apartments and houses because of rising rents.”

Hicks says that he works to find seniors to buddy up and share the cost of an apartment, and that’s exactly what Madore is planning to do next. He has come a long way. He says he almost gave up on living and hopes for a better future. 

“I am at ease,” Madore said. “Everybody there is great. I get along with everybody in there and we help each other if we can.”