It could be you: female, single, older and homeless
This report was written by Ludo McFerran and released in August 2010. The report found being over the age of 45 and single increases a woman’s risk of becoming homeless. Older women who have been divorced, are in low-paying jobs, and living in rental accommodation are particularly at risk.
This study and report was a collaborative project of Homelessness NSW, the Older Womens Network NSW and the St Vincent de Paul Society, with support provided by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse.
The study was prompted by evidence of increasing numbers of older women entering the homeless population for the first time, and the concern of the homeless service system that demand could not be met. To put the experience of these older women into context, the study examined the evidence of the combined impact of housing trends affected by changing demographics, the impact of ageing, and entrenched financial disadvantage of women. Combined with the qualitative evidence from the thirty one homeless older women, the study concluded that being female, older, and single is to be at housing risk.
Ageing in What Place? The experience of housing crisis and homelessness for older Victorians
On 1 August 2011, Hanover Welfare Services released new research into older persons and homelessness.
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.