When Richard Hewett’s relationship broke down, he had to leave his partner’s council house. At 59, he expected to find a way to stay independent in his Essex home town, but his disability benefits did not go far enough to cover the cost of renting a flat on his own.
With few options available, Hewett ended up sleeping in his car. The arrangement was far from manageable. At 6ft 2in, he struggled to fit into a Ford Focus and found it difficult to sleep properly.
His situation later became even more serious after he broke his ankle. Unable to care for it properly while living in the car, he developed sepsis and ultimately had his leg amputated.
Hewett is one of a growing number of over-55s in the UK facing homelessness as rising living costs and a shortage of social housing leave fewer routes to stable accommodation. For older people, the loss of a relationship, an income shock or an unexpected health problem can quickly turn into a housing crisis.
The case also highlights the particular strain felt by people living with disability and on benefits, especially when they are trying to secure housing in areas where rents are high and social homes are scarce. In situations like Hewett’s, the gap between available support and the actual cost of housing can be enough to push someone into sleeping rough or living in a vehicle.
Homelessness among older adults is often less visible than other forms of housing insecurity, but it can be just as damaging. People in later life may face additional barriers, including poorer health, reduced mobility and fewer support networks. That can make temporary solutions harder to sustain and recovery more difficult.
Hewett’s experience illustrates how quickly a personal setback can become a long-term emergency when affordable housing is out of reach. It is a reminder that homelessness is not limited to the young or unemployed, but increasingly affects people in their 50s, 60s and beyond.
