On February 10, 2026, the Observatoire qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois des in\u00e9galit\u00e9s highlighted the growing inequalities in housing affordability among people aged 65 and over, based on internal research and data from the 2021 population census.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As people age, they become more vulnerable to unaffordable housing. Approximately 20.1% of seniors aged 65 and over live in housing that exceeds what they can afford based on their retirement income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Observatoire, housing is unaffordable for more than half of<\/p>\n\n\n\n
households composed of people aged 65 and over who fall within the lowest 20% income bracket. The issue is even more pronounced among seniors living alone (33.2%) compared to those living as a couple (6.5%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is therefore not surprising that, for many, retirement can become synonymous with homelessness. Based on a count conducted on the night of October 11\u201312, 2022, it is estimated that 6.5% of people experiencing visible homelessness were aged 65 and over, and 29% were between 50 and 64 years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n