Many older LGBTQ+ people in London are experiencing significant financial and material difficulties, this research from Tonic Housing finds.
What’s this?
London has a large population of older LGBTQ+ people. But research of this population group has been very limited.
This report from Tonic Housing, funded by Trust for London, uses a literature review, survey and focus groups to shine a light on a hidden population of older LGBTQ+ Londoners suffering financial and material hardship.
Key findings
The research finds that a substantial number of older LGBTQ+ individuals in London experience significant financial and material difficulties. It argues that this is due to a combination of four factors:
Discrimination
- A lifetime of discrimination can impact the opportunities that someone has to earn and save, and have long-term impacts on their financial wellbeing.
- The experience of discrimination – and its associated disadvantage – is worse for particular groups, including LGBTQ+ people of colour, LGBTQ+ Disabled people, and trans and nonbinary people
Isolation
- LGBTQ+ people are more prone to isolation as they age
- Isolation means that people are less likely to receive help from social networks, including financial help; and they are less likely to access other sources of help that may be available to them, including benefits
- 64% of respondents were living alone - and these respondents were much more likely to be experiencing hardship
Long-term health conditions
- The report looks at the high levels of disability among older LGBTQ+ people
- 60% of respondents were disabled
- They were twice as likely to be finding it ‘very’ difficult to manage financially than non-disabled respondents (56% vs 26%)
Financial stress
- 34% of respondents had an annual household income of less than £15,000, which is below the Minimum Income Standard for London
- Renters were three times more likely to be finding it difficult to manage financially than homeowners (62% vs 19%)
Recommendations
The report sets out recommendations for a London-wide community-led strategic action plan to address these issues. It envisages a community-led plan that:
- Addresses hardship and social exclusion among older LGBTQ+ Londoners.
- Reaches those in need by looking at interventions for those facing the most acute discrimination and disadvantage.
- Raises awareness of these issues among LGBTQ+ individuals, media, and community organisations.
- Encourages collaboration between LGBTQ+ community organisations, local authorities in London and the Mayor.
- Encourages partnerships between LGBTQ+ community organisations and older people's charities.
- Identifies funding required to implement the agreed-upon actions.
