Political Parties Urged to Address Rising Older Women's Homelessness in Australia

Recent reports highlight the growing crisis of homelessness among women, often driven by violence and exacerbated by systemic barriers to affordable housing. A Canadian study found that violence against women is a leading cause of homelessness, with survivors facing additional risks and inadequate support services, particularly those with intersecting vulnerabilities such as low income or disabilities. In Australia, older women are increasingly at risk, frequently hidden from official statistics as they resort to couch-surfing, living in cars, or overcrowded homes; this trend is fueled by gender pay gaps, caregiving roles, and insufficient public housing. Advocacy groups are calling for urgent policy action, including increased rent assistance and targeted programs for older women. The lack of affordable housing options and the inadequacy of existing social supports leave women—both young and old—struggling to secure safe, stable accommodation. Without significant reforms and greater collaboration among service providers, women fleeing violence and those on fixed incomes are likely to remain among the most vulnerable to homelessness.