By: Mike Crooks
Older women are one of the fastest growing groups of people in Australia experiencing homelessness.
In 2020, the Housing for the Aged Action Group revealed that for older women renters (aged 55-64), nearly a third were at risk of becoming homeless. Now, Mission Australia is reporting that women in that age bracket are one of the fastest growing groups of people in Australia without a home to call their own.
“Older women may not be able to afford the next rent increase or interest rate hike,” Mission Australia’s CEO Sharon Callister said.
“A health scare or other change in circumstance can be disastrous for them. These are women who may have worked and cared for others throughout their lives but are left isolated and vulnerable as they age.
“It can happen to anyone.”
Up by 83% in 3 Years
Ms Callister said that Mission Australia’s homelessness services saw an 83 per cent increase over three years in women over the age of 55 seeking assistance. The reported reasons for this include that the women may have lower retirement savings and superannuation than men.
They also may not own their own home, “meaning late-in-life shocks like health concerns, job loss or divorce can hit them hard and leave them particularly vulnerable to homelessness,” read a Mission Australia statement.
One well-known Sydney example of a woman suffering that plight, is that of Glen-Marie Frost, the PR queen who was the publicity chief of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After she suffered ailing health following a marriage breakdown, the once wealthy woman found herself on a waitlist for public housing.
“I didn’t foresee it – bingo, all my money was gone,” she told Marie Claire in 2022. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
It’s Hard to Find Long Term Housing
Mission Australia’s frontline staff “work hard to support everyone who comes through their doors, but the ongoing housing emergency makes it challenging to find secure, long-term housing for people in need,” Ms Callister said.
“We need continued, significant investment in social and affordable housing to ensure that older women have access to safe and secure housing and the support they need to remain in their homes and communities and age with dignity.”
Hidden homeless
Based on data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Mission Australia reports that:
- More than 7,300 women aged 55+ are homeless in Australia
- The number of homeless women aged 55+ has risen 30 per cent in the last 5 years
The women are among the 122,000 people who are homeless on any given night in Australia.
They comprise Australia’s “hidden homeless” – those who do not “sleep rough” on the street, but live in their cars, a garage “or other temporary, often insecure accomodation,” according to Mission Australia.
“I see them”
To increase awareness of the rising number of homeless older women, Mission Australia has released an ad featuring homeless woman, Marie, and Mission Australia community service worker Jenna.
“It just shouldn’t happen in Australia,” Jenna says in the ad.
“Women in their 60s and 70s who are homeless – you mightn’t see them, but I do. Sleeping in refuges or cars or worse. It’s heartbreaking.”
Help
As part of the campaign, Mission Australia is imploring Australians to donate to help these women.
“I hope those who can, consider donating to help women who are struggling to keep themselves safe and housed,” Ms Callister said. “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to and supported Mission Australia, we couldn’t do what we do without your help.
“All donations help ensure our frontline staff can provide quality support, compassion and care for people at their time of need.”
To donate visit Mission Australia, or phone 1800 888 868.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Jenna from Mission Australia. Image supplied
About the author: Michael Crooks is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine and more.