Older people at risk of homelessness have been forgotten by the system, according to a new report.

The study, commissioned and funded by Help the Aged, the Housing Associations' Charitable Trust and Crisis, says many elderly people are living in poverty and are vulnerable to losing the roof over their head.

The report warns that older people's needs have been marginalised over recent decades. It finds that homelessness initiatives have concentrated on more visible groups like families and single young people.

The study says that many older people are less vocal and demanding and have therefore been overlooked.

The charities warn that "a patchwork of very complex circumstances and experiences can leave older people entrenched in very difficult situations and especially vulnerable".

Joe Oldman, Help the Aged Homelessness and Housing Needs Manager, said: "The needs of older homeless people are mostly ignored by mainstream service providers and not taken seriously by the Homelessness Directorate.

"Given the overwhelming success of the OHP Programme, funded by the voluntary sector, it is now vital that statutory agencies and housing providers take on board the vital importance of specialist services in tackling homelessness among vulnerable older people."

Hazel Morbey, who co-authored the report, adds: "Older people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, have become the 'forgotten homeless'.

"The needs of these socially excluded people are absent or poorly represented in most policies aimed at older people, including housing and health strategies."