With rates of homelessness growing among older women, Anglicare Australia has called on the Government to invest in social housing. Speaking on International Women’s Day, Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said:
“Every woman should have a safe and affordable home. It prevents homelessness, protects families from violence, and promotes equality.
“But the housing crisis is hurting more and more women. Each year, more women are becoming homeless at a time in their lives when stability is more important than ever.
“Anglicare Australia’s Rental Affordability Snapshot shows that a single woman on the Age Pension can afford less than 1% of rental listings across Australia. That includes the highest rate of rent assistance.
“Those numbers are backed by Anglicare Sydney’s recent More Than Shelter report. It contains countless stories of older women sleeping in their cars, living in caravan parks, or staying with friends to mask the fact that they are homeless.
“This is a growing problem that is not going away. That’s why Anglicare Australia is calling on for a major boost to social housing on International Women’s Day.
“Australia’s social housing shortfall is massive. We need 500,000 new social and affordable rentals across country. That means building 25,000 social homes each year.
“Building social housing is the most powerful way to keep older women in secure housing, and stop them from getting trapped in a cycle of homeless. “We’re calling on the Federal Government take action this International Women’s Day and help make sure that women have the homes they deserve.”