Gaspard climbs the steps of a somewhat unsanitary stairwell, in a building located in the middle of the city of 3,000 in Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis). Here he is on the fourth floor. He knocks on the door. In the half-open space, a huge smile appears. Philomène hugs her guest of the day. The first is in his thirties and works as a specialized educator responsible for supporting homeless elderly people in Seine-Saint-Denis for the Interface mission of the Samu social de Paris.
The second, 72 years old, left her country, Congo-Brazzaville, in 2009, to settle in France for medical reasons. Her husband, 81, joined her in 2016, forced into exile for the same reasons. With more than fifty years of living together, Philomène and François-Justin form a solid couple. An unfailing resistance which was strengthened upon their arrival in France. “We first lived with one of our daughters. But it wasn’t ideal, it quickly became indecent to live as a foursome with our daughter and her husbandtraces François-Justin. It felt like we were breaking their privacy. »
A surge in homeless elderly people
What follows is a departure from the accommodation and the start of troubles. “We didn’t give up, we had shelter in a social hotel thanks to 115,” says Philomène, raising her voice to cover the noise of the television. For several years, the couple experienced a situation of wandering, before obtaining a place in an accommodation and social reintegration center (CHRS) in Bondy. It was there that they met Gaspard, two years ago. Together, they took steps to get out of this situation, by finding social housing.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, Gaspard supports nearly 70 cases, all of elderly people. “With the Samu social teams, we realized that there is an increase in aging peoplehe explains. Last year alone, we collected nearly 350 new reports across Paris. »
Its field observations correspond to the dynamics noted by the Collectif Les Morts de la rue, which is publishing this Wednesday, October 30, its report on the causes of deaths of homeless people. “People over 50 without personal housing (CHRS, social hotel) form a particularly vulnerable populationnotes the association. Their living conditions and health outcomes are often marked by long periods of wandering, as well as increased exposure to the risks of chronic illness and premature death. »
“Gaspard’s house”
Often, the slide into homelessness occurs among isolated populations. A few days earlier, Gaspard went to meet a sixty-year-old woman who found herself on the street overnight. “A lady with a disability who was not aware that her rights had to be renewed. The file did not leave on time, she no longer had money to pay her rentdeplores the educator. All it would have taken was a little help to prevent all of this from happening. In four months on the street, his condition deteriorated significantly. »
In a tense context for social housing, Gaspard relishes as soon as a file is successful. In 2023, the Interface mission supported 1,100 people. Around a hundred of them have regained stability. “It’s always a lot of happiness. Often, we see them smile again,” he rejoices. Like Philomène and François-Justin. The accommodation offer came at the beginning of April 2024. They immediately accepted.
Since then, the couple has been working to bring their apartment to life. They finish decorating it. Philomène also rediscovers the pleasures of cooking: “In Bondy, I couldn’t and we ate meals that were served to us. » Gaspard immediately saw the effects of rehousing. “François-Justin, you have gained weight, that’s nice! » That day, the 72-year-old lady spent a good part of the day preparing chicken and plantains to welcome the educator. Without stopping repeating a sentence: “This is Gaspard’s house. »
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Homeless people die on average before turning 50
At least 826 people “homeless” or experienced this situation died in France in 2023. People die on average at the age of 48.8, or 31.1 years younger than the general population.
Nearly 22% of deaths identified are linked to external causes: 5% of transport accidents, 5% of attacks, 3% of suicides. But in some cases, it is difficult to identify the exact causes.
A third of deaths is observed in a public space, 11% in places of accommodation.
Source : Rapport Count and describe. The mortality of “homeless” people in France, produced by the Collective Les Morts de la rue.