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Older women, migrants swell the number of Australia's homeless
The number of people who are homeless in Australia has soared by almost 15 per cent, with newly released Census data showing people living in “severely” overcrowded dwellings are the greatest contributors to this increase.
More than 116,400 Australians were homeless on Census night in 2016 – compared to 102,400 in 2011, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals.
2018
Themes:
The rising population of older, homeless women
Older women are often the forgotten face of homelessness.
Stereotypes dominate the average view of what a homeless person looks like, but at a time when the number of older women couch-surfing has doubled in just four years, times are changing.
In Australia in 2016, 1618 women over the age of 50 who presented at homelessness services were couch-surfing – an 83 per cent increase over four years.
2018
The disturbing truth you need to know about women's homelessness
Christine is a recently retired and now homeless mature age woman who has, like so many other retired professional women, little to no prospect of obtaining public or community housing, or being able to afford market price rentals.
She is the convenor of the Housing Alternatives self-help action group on Facebook and the creator of the Housing Alternatives web site,
2018
Retiring Into Poverty - A National Plan for Change: Increasing Housing Security for Older Women
Australian women aged over 50 are at greater risk of financial and housing security than older men. This has been linked to a number of compounding and systemic factors.
2018
Things to consider when working with older women who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness
This document outlines issues for practitioners and service providers to consider when working with older women who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. It is targeted primarily at practitioners and service providers who are not experienced with,
or specialists, in providing services to older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
2018
Themes:
Census reveals a rise in the rate of homelessness in Australia
The rate of homelessness in Australia has increased 4.6 per cent over the last five years, according to new data from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing.
People aged between 65 and 74 years experiencing homelessness increased to 27 persons per 10,000 people, up from 25 persons per 10,000 people in 2011.
2018
Themes:
Life as an older renter, and what it tells us about the urgent need for tenancy reform
Reform in the private rental sector is essential. Growing numbers of Australians rent their housing and increasing proportions are expected to rent long-term. This makes it essential that private rental housing meets the need that every person has for a secure and affordable home. It is getting harder for older renters to find adequate, appropriate and secure housing.
2018
Themes:
Seventy and homeless for the first time: the rise of older women's homelessness
While the stereotypical face of poverty is a older man – a lifetime down on his luck, the fastest growing demographic of people experiencing homelessness is single women over the age of 55.
While it is clear that women are victim to lifelong structural settings that have undermined their financial security – the state of the housing market is what is pushing so many women from housing stress into
2018
Here's why so many seniors are joining the tiny-house movement
Discussion and case studies of older women in the US opting to join the tiny house movement as they age.
2018
Themes:
Homelessness getting worse in Australia, census data shows
The number of homeless people in Australia jumped by more than 14,000 — or 14 per cent — in the five years to 2016, according to census data which also reveals a "significant" increase in older women on the streets and a growing group living in overcrowded accommodation.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said 116,000 people were homeless on census night in 2016, representing 50
2018
Themes:
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."