Data from the 2016 national census shows that an even larger group of adult women with “uncertain” finances are at risk of becoming homeless if they lose casual work shifts or are forced to take time off due to illness.
And with falling rates of home ownership for women over 45, plus continuing instability in the housing market in many major Australian cities – housing certainty for older women is a serious issue.
But the Australian Centre for Social Innovation is developing a program to help – partnering with Illawarra-based aged care and retirement living provider, IRT Group.
The new trial program is a homeshare “matching service” that connects women over 55 with others who are looking for a flatmate to co-contribute financially to their housing.
The goal is to help older women create a more stable and safe living arrangement by sharing the financial burdens – keeping them at home and reducing the risk of homelessness.
While it’s only in a trial phase, the program has already matched 14 women in NSW’s Wollongong-Illawarra region (1.5 hours south of Sydney) – and they’re looking for more!
If you’re in the Illawarra region and want to find out more about the new homeshare trial or how to get involved, visit the website.
We think it’s a fantastic program – every woman has a right to safety and housing stability.
