The last Census results delivered shocking stats regarding the extent of homelessness for women in NSW, showing a 48 per cover rise in homelessness for women since the previous Census, with a massive 78 per cent rise for women aged 65 to 74.
The figures are staggering and, as an October parliamentary inquiry into the issue heard, show that the face of homelessness very much an older woman.
The recommendations from that inquiry included a massive uptick in social housing, but also a significant lowering of the age for priority housing, which is currently 80.
This week an alliance of independent candidates and MPs across the state called for the major parties to lower this priority age down fro 80, and introduce a specialist housing support service for older people. The alliance included Independent MPs Alex Greenwich, Joe McGirr and Phil Donato, as well as teal independent candidates Joeline Hackman, Jacqui Scruby, Helen Conway and Victoria Davidson
And they are figures that show the very real outcomes of gender gaps that in isolation can simply look like numbers, but come together to devastating effect for older women. Such gaps include the gender pay gap, the workforce participation gap, the unpaid work gap which continues to see women take on the bulk of the caring and domestic responsibilities, and of course the superannuation and retirement savings gap.
But it’s domestic and family violence that continues to be a leading cause of homelessness in Australia.
And given the impact of recent disasters across NSW in recent years, climate change is fast emerging as another major contributor to the rise in women experiencing homelessness
We spoke about the issue recently with Trina Jones, the CEO of Homelessness NSW. She highlighted the further risks of domestic and family violence for women following a disaster, noting the evidence from Victoria showing how family violence incidents spike during and after catastrophic events — a spoke that can last up to five years.
From there, she noted the less than one per cent vacancy rates across the private retnal market across most urban and regional areas, and how this simply locks those experiencing poverty out.
“This is further compounded by an atrophying stock of social housing and a loss of housing through disasters like fires and floods. During natural disasters housing insecurity can increase as people are displaced, and the availability of suitable housing is reduced where housing is destroyed.”
The Aftershock Report commissioned by NCOSS and Homelessness NSW showed the extent of such losses, revealing the loss and significant damage of over 5000 homes across the state.
Jones is concerned that those already at risk of or in poverty — like older women — the impacts of natural disasters like bushfires and floods can push them in the homelessness crisis. She said that they’re a group that can have limited options to secure rental accommodation, while current policies are preventing them from accessing priority social housing and they can wind up on wait lists of ten years or more.
“Many end up sleeping in cars or couch surfing, which further impacts their health and wellbeing.
Jones is calling for more investment in social housing to ensure essential infrastructure for those who need it in a crisis.
Homelessness NSW wants policymakers to push for a target of 10 per cent social housing by 205, with support from Business NSW, the Propeorty Council, Shelter NSW and Community Housing Industry Association.
But she adds, such. target must also be backed bu further support for frontline services, including an additional $152 million to mee the need.
“NSW is the second lowest funded service system in the country and has the second highest rate of homelessness. Services have the highest turn away rate because they physically do not have enough people and resources to help the volume of people who need support.”