Report Finds Sharp Rise in Older Women Experiencing Homelessness

The report, “Retiring into Poverty”, released by the National Older Women’s Housing and Homelessness Working Group, said systemic factors such as lower superannuation, unequal pay and forced time off to raise children were key factors of the increase. The combination of women having a lower overall income and housing affordability in major cities was a cause of great instability. Housing affordability in the major cities has grown so significantly in the past decade that women who weren’t in a position to purchase a home during their lifetime, and are currently single in older age, are really suffering in the private rental market in major and regional cities. The number of older women accessing the private rental market increased by 45,000 in a five year period, which according to the report, was not viable for older women who were experiencing poverty due to systematic factors.