Older Women and Homelessness –Data and Information

4530 homeless people over 55 (ABS 2011) in NSW. This is a 22% increase since 2006.

Proportion of women (all ages) who are homeless (ABS 2011) in NSW was 40.5%. Women’s share of homeless numbers (all ages) increased by 2% since 2006.

3,167 clients aged over 55 used SHS in 2012-13 in NSW. This is an increase of 3% on 2011-12. 

25% of all Commonwealth rent assistance recipients in 2013 in NSW were aged 60 and over.

18% of Commonwealth rent assistance recipients in 2013 in NSW were receiving an aged pension

Proportion of households who have paid off their mortgage and own their own home went from 42% in 1994-95 to 31% in 2011-12 (ABS, Australia);

Proportion of private renters (ABS –Australia) in 1994-95 was 18% and in 2011-12 was 25%

Some recent comments

“Older women who find themselves out of the workforce and do not own their own home in Western Australia have emerged as a new group increasingly at risk of homelessness” -Sue West, CEO, UnitingCare West, August 2014

“The proportion of older people facing housing stress and homelessness is known to be rising across Australia. Of particular concern is that older women are a demographic cohort that is especially vulnerable.” –from Home Truths: Older Women’s Housing Vulnerability in the ACT, act Shelter, August 2014

“Evidence suggests that, in addition to their financial hardship, many older women living alone are isolated and excluded from their communities (Household Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) 2013)” –quoted in COTA NSW Consumer Survey 2013

“The dissolution of partnerships and re-partnering involve serious risks for women and their children. When it does not work out, women go backwards. This is a significant gender-based economic and social problem in this which is now coming to fruition on the back of demographic change. In the longer-term the fundamentals in this equation need to change. In the short-term there is a humanitarian disaster which needs addressing” - Dr Andrea Sharam, June 2010 in “A predictable crisis – older single women as the new face of homelessness”

“The largest proportion of older women presenting with housing crisis in Australia have led conventional lives, and rented whilst working and raising a family. Few have had involvement with welfare and support systems” Dr Maree Petersen, University of Queensland, April 2014 in “Older women’s pathway out or homelessness in Australia”