The hidden needs of long‐term hostel residents

This paper will present some recent data collected by local authorities on their older homeless population, explore the nature of the needs of this population and put some challenging questions to the homeless sector and statutory services about how this section of the population has been marginalised in the past and continues to be neglected. It will suggest that the only way to meet the needs of this population is improved partnership working between homelessness, health, social services and older people's housing.