Older, single homeless women Vic report
A Melbourne homeless service has released a report showing that single women are increasingly experiencing homelessness.
Twenty three women between the ages of 35 and 64 were interviewed between March and July 2008 for this study.
Women’s Information Support and Housing in the North (WISHIN) studies suggest the ageing population, along with gentrification of suburbs and rental property shortages, could see increased numbers of single older women without stable housing in the future.
Share housing may become more common, though the report authors say this volatile housing situation will unlikely be good for the employability and wellbeing of older women.
One of the report’s recommendations is that share housing is an area requiring closer examination in terms of research and policy.
According to WISHIN, many homeless services cater for youth and men; meaning single women represent a gap in current service provision.
Support services often turn these women away because they are considered a low risk group, even if they are living below the poverty line.
Given the likely growth of this section of the community, WISHIN recommends that housing policy and research focus more on single women without financial and housing security.
To read the report, visit:
