Older women 'lost in housing crisis' as thousands seek support

Meredith's quest for a secure and affordable home has been a challenging journey. After finding a suitable social housing unit in her 50s, she eventually moved to a retirement village on the Sunshine Coast. However, six years later, the federal government's rental scheme ended, and Meredith could no longer afford her unit. She then relocated back to Brisbane.

Despite finding a new place, Meredith remains acutely aware of the uncertainty surrounding the housing situation. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 31,700 people aged 55 and over received assistance from specialist homelessness services in 2024-25, with 54% of those being women. In Brisbane, the private rental market is scarce, with only 1% of units available.

Meredith, now in her 70s, has discovered the Housing Older Women's Support Service, a Queensland government-funded program that assists women over 50 and First Nations women over 45 in securing permanent housing. This free service, established in 2022, aims to empower women with knowledge and connections to navigate the housing system.

Maggie Shambrook, a founding member of the Housing Older Women Movement, expresses relief at the service's impact on women like Meredith. To better understand the challenges faced by older women, researchers from the Queensland University of Technology developed a board game inspired by snakes and ladders. The game aims to educate and inspire empathy through creative problem-solving.

The Housing Older Women's Support Service focuses on pushing for a community-led response to housing, emphasizing the need for increased visibility and pressure to address the housing crisis affecting older women.