As housing costs rise, older adults are experiencing homelessness more often. The National Alliance to End Homelessness found that nearly one in four people experiencing homelessness were over the age of 55, based on data from 2023’s Point-in-Time count. 

In Oregon, advocates recognize that the problem is growing. Laura Golino de Lovato is the executive director of the Northwest Pilot Project, a nonprofit that advocates for low income people over the age of 55. The organization helps them find and keep affordable housing. She joins us with more on what this issue looks like in Multnomah County and what she would like to see to better support this population moving forward.