HAAG welcomes yesterday’s announcement by the Queensland Government of measures to address older women’s homelessness, as part of their overall Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025. A new housing and support hub model will be developed to assist older women, providing a “single entry point”, and taking an early intervention and prevention approach.
We are encouraged by the $2.9 billion investment to fast-track housing delivery by the Queensland government in yesterday’s state budget. This includes $1 billion set aside for Housing Investment Fund, a long-term fund that will drive new supply to support current and future housing need.
The patterns and circumstances of low income older non- homeowners identified in this report indicate that Queensland is no exception to the national trends on homelessness and the risk of homelessness for the older population. Overall homelessness in Queensland is rising and the older age groups are increasingly contributing to this growth. Unlike in other states where older people affected by homelessness and marginally housed are concentrated in the metropolitan capital, in Queensland greater numbers are found in regional Queensland.
The national Ageing on the Edge Older Persons Homelessness Prevention Project is soon to release its report on the housing crisis facing a growing number of older people in Queensland.
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."
