The NSW Parliament Inquiry into Homelessness amongst older people aged over 55, instigated by Greens MLC and Central Coast resident, Abigail Boyd, has released its report, delivering 40 substantive recommendations.
With older women the fastest-growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness, the report is the first of its kind in Australia investigating the unique experiences and drivers of homelessness among older people.
Convenor Deb Tipper said while the recommendations in the report were welcome and comprehensive, the proof would be in the reaction of the State Government, expected to be announced in January next year.
“It’s a national crisis, with an increase of 30 per cent in older women facing homelessness between 2011 and 2016, but I believe the numbers on the Central Coast are higher than the national average,” she said.
“The situation here is exacerbated by the fact that we have high numbers of the population who are older and on low incomes and high incidences of domestic and family violence and elder abuse.
“And many older women hide their situation, with shame a big issue; they are sleeping on couches, staying with friends or relatives.
“All of these factors suggest a higher increase in homelessness numbers on the Coast.”
Tipper said the Coast was the only region which hosted a hearing for the inquiry and she was hopeful that would lead to recognition of the region’s specific problems and priority being given to the area.
“I think the report’s findings and recommendations show that the inquiry heard really well the issues raised,” she said.
“What will be interesting is how the government responds.”
“If some of the recommendations are adopted, they will be long-term projects.
“I think it’s important that the report noted that not only was there a need for more housing, but it has to be targeted.
“The traditional refuge model does not work for older women.”
deb tipper
“Housing needs to be designed to be safe and secure but also cater for them to be able to have their grandchildren come to stay.”
Tipper said older women often found themselves in dire housing situations due to the fact they had traditionally been primary carers to children and older people, working in casual or part-time situations, with poor access to superannuation.
“Many older women facing homelessness are actually working but if they can’t get housing near where they work, participation suffers,” she said.
Recommendations include such actions as increasing and improving social housing, providing wraparound support services tailored to older people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, prioritising non-punitive Housing First homelessness services, and increasing data collection and transparency to follow emerging homelessness trends.
Boyd, who is The Greens Spokesperson for Older People and Women’s Equity and Economic Justice said many vulnerable women were being left behind by the system.
“Older women are being failed by a social housing system in crisis and by punitive government services that overlook the realities of homelessness and make no effort to assist those attempting to navigate the maze of support services,” she said.
“We initiated this inquiry because we saw that older women in particular were being overlooked by the housing system.
“The countless older women who generously shared their stories gave such compelling evidence — the previously hidden crisis of homelessness among older women can no longer be ignored.
“The stories shared have proven that most of us are just one life event away from being homeless — whether by losing our job, having a loved one pass away, becoming ill or leaving a bad relationship — and yet there are hardly any government safety nets to stop people losing the roof over their head.
“Older women are particularly vulnerable because, after a lifetime of parenting and caring responsibilities leading to lower superannuation, they are without the financial security to keep their head above water when times are tough.”
abigail boyd, mlc
“There is no one quick solution to this urgent crisis, so it is vitally important for the Government to commit to implementing all 40 recommendations of this landmark report without delay.”
Key recommendations include: that the NSW Government consider the establishment of a funded specialist housing information and support service for older people that comprises both an early intervention and crisis response; that the State Government advocate for the Australian Government to include a specific allocation for older people on low incomes in the Help to Buy program and the extension of the National Rental Affordability Scheme and/or establish a plan to assist older people transitioning out of the scheme; that the State Government urge the Australian Government to examine opportunities to increase social security payments, including an increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance; that the State Government look at maintenance and retrofitting of social housing stock to ensure dwellings meet the needs of tenants, including older people; that application processes for housing and support services be streamlined; and that the NSW Government consider funding the construction of new social or community housing that is specifically allocated to older women.
The report in full can be found on NSW Parliament’s website.
Source:
Media release, Nov 24
Abigal Bloyd, MLC