Award-winning documentary No Place to Grow Old to be followed by a community discussion exploring the growing issue and solutions of homelessness among older adults here in Western New York.
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BUFFALO — As homelessness among older adults continues to skyrocket across the country, the Homeless Alliance of Western New York and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library are inviting the community to an evening of film, discussion, and action. Community members will gather on July 22 at 6 PM ET at the Mason O. Damon Auditorium (inside the Downtown Central Library) for a screening of the award-winning documentary No Place to Grow Old, followed by a panel discussion exploring the local impact of homelessness among older adults and the solutions needed to address it.
The free public event will bring together residents, advocates, service providers, and community leaders to shine a light on a heartbreaking reality: after a lifetime of work, far too many older adults are finding themselves without a safe place to call home. Today, older adults are the fastest-growing population experiencing homelessness in America, making this one of the most urgent and overlooked challenges facing communities across the country.
Through personal stories and firsthand experiences, No Place to Grow Old offers a powerful look at the realities of aging into homelessness and the challenges many older adults face in finding safe, stable housing later in life. The documentary shines a light on a growing crisis that affects communities of all sizes and challenges common misconceptions about who experiences homelessness.
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to join a community discussion featuring local experts and leaders. The conversation will focus on the realities of homelessness among older adults in Western New York, the factors contributing to housing instability, and the solutions that can help individuals age with dignity, stability, and support.
The event comes at a time when homelessness among older adults is reaching unprecedented levels across the nation. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s recently released 2025 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, nearly one in five people experiencing homelessness in the United States are age 55 or older—representing an estimated 140,000 older adults nationwide. Researchers project that the number of older adults experiencing homelessness could triple by 2030. In New York alone, nearly 16,000 adults aged 55 and older experienced homelessness in 2025.
“Many people are surprised to learn that older adults are among the fastest-growing populations experiencing homelessness across the country,” said Haley Diagostino, Aging Systems Coordinator with the Homeless Alliance of WNY. “And an increasing number are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives. These are people who have worked, raised families, and served their communities, and are now struggling to find a safe place to call home later in life.”
Organizers hope the event will encourage greater understanding of the challenges facing older adults while creating space for meaningful dialogue and community engagement.
“This film really highlights those realities and humanizes the numbers behind this growing issue,” Diagostino added. “This screening and discussion are an opportunity for our community to better understand the realities of homelessness among older adults, and the role we can all play in creating long-term solutions.”
The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is encouraged.
For any questions or help registering for the event, please contact Haley Diagostino at [email protected].
Event Details
What: Screening of No Place to Grow Old and Community Discussion on Older Adult Homelessness in Western New York
When: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 6:00-7:55 PM ET
Where: Mason O. Damon Auditorium | Downtown Central Library | Buffalo & Erie County Public Library | 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203
Cost: Free
Registration: tinyurl.com/y5tbtr88
Event Homepage: tinyurl.com/mtb35hta
About the Homeless Alliance of Western New York
The Homeless Alliance of Western New York leads regional efforts to prevent and end homelessness through collaborative planning, system coordination, advocacy, and community engagement. By uniting service providers, government agencies, housing partners, and community organizations, the Alliance builds a coordinated system that connects people experiencing homelessness with the housing and services they need to achieve lasting stability. Together, we can end homelessness.