Precarious Lives: Financial and material hardship among older LGBTQ+ people in London

This report by Tonic Housing, funded by Trust for London, throws light on a hidden population of older LGBTQ+ Londoners suffering financial and material hardship.

The research involved both a literature review and a survey and highlights that there are particular factors which help explain why LGBTQ+ elders can face such difficulties. The report groups these factors into four areas:

Discrimination – looking at the long-term impact of discrimination on the financial wellbeing of older LGBTQ+ people, and at the intersectional nature of this problem.
Social isolation – exploring the high levels of social isolation, and the low expectations of institutional support, among older LGBTQ+ people, and how these affect financial wellbeing.
Long-term health conditions – looking at the high levels of disability among older LGBTQ+ people, how disability can increase social isolation, and how both impact financial health.
Financial stress – showing how living in London is a mixed blessing for older LGBTQ+ people, exploring factors such as the precarity of life in the private rental sector.

The report also sets out recommendations for a London-wide community-led strategic action plan to address these issues, envisaging 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.