‘The system isn’t working’: Outreach workers warn of rise in homeless seniors in Richmond

Homeless Richmond man Tom Tang has spent years on the streets after losing his home. (CTV News)

Tom Tang is 76 years old and has been living on the streets for years, dealing with cognitive and mobility needs.

Speaking through a translator, Tang told CTV News he doesn’t currently have a tent and doesn’t want another one after his last one went missing while he was out. He now only has a bag of clothes and a blanket.

Outreach worker Steph Scramstad says Tang has lived in Richmond for decades, but lost his housing a few years ago and has no family to turn to.

“The system isn’t working,” said Scramstad. “We’ll find Tom wandering the streets by himself, not knowing where to go, and along with other seniors, too.”

Scramstad says she has seen more seniors falling into homelessness, with more than a dozen now staying at a local emergency shelter.

She says Tang often moves between shelters, parks and businesses overnight, and that his belongings frequently go missing or are removed.

“His walker went missing – and then his luggage went missing – basically everything he had went missing,” said Alex Molina, who is also experiencing homelessness.

Tang has received support from non-profit and faith-based groups, but finding permanent housing has been difficult.

“We’ve been trying to get him into housing, but unfortunately, it’s a six-to-eight-month bed match,” said Scramstad, acknowledging that his health needs make him a unique case.

“He’s just kind of falling through the cracks.”

Scramstad says she and a group are working on temporary solutions and plan to present them to Richmond city council next month.

The B.C. Ministry of Housing told CTV News in a statement that it is expanding supports for seniors, including rent assistance and housing, but did not provide specific data on senior homelessness in Richmond or comment directly on Tang’s situation.

Tang says after years on the streets with no end in sight, he is running out of hope.