Older women & homelessness

Who are the homeless and who is at risk of homelessness? We tend to think the homeless are those temporarily driven from their homes by family violence or chronically homeless due to a life crisis exasperated by alcohol or substance abuse and deteriorating mental health problems. We rarely think about older working women as a potential wave of homeless people but, according to the evidence, that is exactly the problem we face – a problem for which we are poorly prepared.

Homelessness NSW is collaborating with the Older Women's Network (NSW) and Catholic Community Services to advocate for services that prevent older women from becoming homeless and establish models for services that respond effectively if they do become homeless.

Here is It Could Be You: Single, Older, Female & Homeless for you to read to understand the issues for older women.

Hanover Welfare Services is pleased to advise you of the release of new research into the older persons and homelessness.

This research represents the culmination of Stage One of Hanover’s study into the experience of housing crisis and homelessness for older people. The research was generously funded by the William Buckland Foundation.

The project emerged following anecdotal evidence from specialist homelessness services that pointed to a significant increase in the number of older people presenting at services for the first time with little or no prior history of homelessness.

The Stage One Final Report is delivered in two parts, both of which are able to be downloaded from:

https://www.hanover.org.au/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,33/limit,5/limitstart,0/order,date/dir,DESC/Itemid,99999999/

The first, “Ageing in what place? The experience of housing crisis and homelessness for older Victorians. Final Report” presents the research phases, a summary of consultations, findings from consumer interviews, mapping of the current service sector for older Victorians, and policy and service recommendations.

The second component is a stand alone document, “Ageing in what place? The experience of housing crisis and homelessness for older Victorians. Case Studies”. This document presents case studies outlining the journeys of 14 older people interviewed as part of the research. The case studies share incredible stories of hardship and resilience as well as vulnerability and courage. They detail participants’ journeys into housing crisis or homelessness, and provide rich insight into the challenges faced by older people.

For further information please contact Shelley Mallett, General Manager, Research and Organisational Development on 9288 9800 or 04380 22985.