Skyrocketing Rents and Inflation Displace Seniors, Driving Them into Homelessness

As the cost of living soars, seniors are increasingly finding themselves priced out of their homes and left with no choice but to live on the streets. This alarming trend is particularly evident in Nashville, where rising rents and inflation are pushing locals from all walks of life into homelessness.

With the influx of tourists and wealthy newcomers, Nashville has become a desirable destination, but the city's rapid growth has come at a steep cost for its long-time residents. Rising rents and inflation have made it virtually impossible for locals to afford even basic housing, leaving many on the brink of homelessness.

Purple Heart recipient Patrick James, who lost his home in divorce, is one of the many who have been displaced by Nashville's soaring housing costs. "Nashville only cares about tourists, country music and cowboy hats," he said. "I don't stand a chance of getting any sort of apartment in this city right now."

James is not alone. Robert Sutton, a former mechanic, expressed similar sentiments, saying, "The money that's coming into Nashville is doing nothing for people like me."

The high upfront costs associated with renting in Nashville are particularly burdensome. "You've got to make at least three times the amount of the rent to get approved," James said. "That's why I bought that old truck to live in and the car, so I could get to places."

James Weaver, another displaced local, saved $1,200 to move into an apartment, only to have the landlord raise the rent by $200 and share the space with another tenant. "I'd paid the deposit, then the game changed," Weaver said.

The lack of affordable housing in Nashville is a major factor in the growing homelessness problem. "Affordable housing in Nashville shouldn't even be in the same sentence," Weaver said.

Skyrocketing rent has become the primary cause of homelessness for many Nashvillians. "I lost my apartment 18 months ago," Weaver said. "Those apartments right there, they want $2,500. There's no hope."

The situation is dire for seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to displacement. As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more elderly people will find themselves living on the streets without adequate support.

Homeless agencies across the country are sounding the alarm about this alarming trend, which is leaving seniors destitute and without a place to call home. The rising cost of living is a major crisis that requires immediate attention and solutions to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.