Family breakdown leads to rise in homeless over 60s

“SILVER splitters” are driving a rise in homelessness among the over 60s, government figures suggest.

In the last year, 2,520 people aged 60 and over were accepted as homeless by local authorities – a rise of 40 per cent in the past five years, and the highest number for over a decade.

Charities warned that the growing problem of family breakdowns were contributing to the rise in homelessness among older people.

Divorce among people aged 60 and over rose from 14,564 in 2010 to 15,976 in 2016, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Something as simple as a family breakdown can push older people from a shared family home into private renting, yet huge rents and unforgiving welfare cuts mean they lose their homes.”

According to the English Housing Survey, the number of people aged 65 and over in private rented accommodation has increased by 33 per cent over the past five years.

A spokesman for Relate, the relationship support charity, suggested local authorities should consider offering free counselling to families and individuals who may be at risk.