The report was produced as part of a five-year project looking at homelessness rates in older people throughout Australia.

Author Debbie Faulkner, a senior research fellow at the University of South Australia's Australian Alliance for Social Enterprise, said trends in Tasmania reflect what is happening across the country.

She said data showed that more older Tasmanians - people aged 55 or over - were experiencing homelessness or at increasing risk of becoming homeless.

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"At the 2016 census there were around 287 [older] people homeless [in Tasmania] as recorded by the census and the rate per 10,000 population has increased over time as well," Dr Faulkner said.

"That means it is not just a factor of ageing. It actually means there is an increase in homelessness for people who are aged 55 years or over."

Dr Faulkner said the problem was particularly bad for women.

"Traditionally we've seen homelessness as sort of chronic homelessness, so maybe older men on the street, whereas much homelessness is actually confined to couch surfing, living in boarding houses or other forms of accommodation that aren't immediately apparent," she said.

"Women are increasingly impacted by homelessness and at risk of homelessness. Particularly for the first time in their life, it is not something that they have experienced throughout their life, it is something that is occurring as they get into their 50s."

A person is said to be at risk of homelessness if they are paying 30 per cent or more of their income on rent. In the latest housing affordability index, produced by Shelter, renting was deemed unaffordable for low income families across Tasmania.

Dr Faulkner said older Australians were becoming more heavily reliant on JobSeeker, or other welfare payments, which is not sufficient to pay rent.

She said older people were falling out of home ownership more often and were trying to survive in the private rental market.

"[There] is a lack of social housing, public housing and community housing, [and] older people aren't a priority group. [Also] waiting lists for public housing across the country are on the rise and housing unaffordability is on the rise," Dr Faulkner said.

Council on the Ageing Tasmania chief executive officer Sue Leitch said it was concerning to see the number of older Tasmanians experiencing, or at risk or experiencing, homelessness on the rise. She said a lack of shelter had ongoing implications for people's health, ability to find work and ability to access care services.

"We have welcomed the measures [the government] has implemented during their term but more investment is needed. We need new homes just as much as new roads and bridges," Ms Leitch said.

"More suitable and affordable stock is needed in the market. Government has a role to play, but also investors have a role to play with new developments. Have affordable and accessible stock as part of new developments, it is an investment in our society.

"We support building new stock that meets accessibility standards. It makes sense to allow people to age in place, and this should be available for affordable housing as well."

Across the last financial year people on the priority housing list were waiting on average 63.6 weeks to receive accommodation. That is despite the government setting a target of 36 weeks.

The government also missed its target of having 3200 Tasmanians accessing it's rental assistance scheme with only 2153 people using the program. However, the target of reducing the number of Tasmanians on the housing priority register to 3400 was achieved.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the government was investing record amounts to deliver more social and affordable housing. He said the government had also lifted the assets and income limits for the HomeShare program to help more Tasmanians realise the dream of owning their own home.

"The 2020-21 Tasmanian budget continues this record state investment into Housing with over $300 million being invested in new housing and homelessness services," Mr Jaensch said.

"This includes delivering the Community Housing Growth Program which invests $100 million to deliver up to 1000 new social houses around Tasmania."

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