Older Women’s Risk of Homelessness: Background Paper

The number of older homeless women in Australia increased by over 30% between 2011 and 2016 to nearly 7,000. We have an ageing population, a high cost of housing, and a significant gap in wealth accumulation between men and women across their lifetimes. Without innovative solutions this problem will continue to increase. This paper explores the issue of older women’s homelessness and a range of opportunities which may facilitate secure, ongoing housing arrangements for this cohort, including ways to capitalise on the financial assets and the capacity of these women to work to increase the possibility of them achieving more permanent housing outcomes.