Women over 55 years at higher risk of homeless than male peers

29 May, 2021

Homelessness and housing insecurity rates are on the rise for women over the age of 55 years. Olivia Sanders reports.

The superannuation gap between women and men is a main contributor to the rapid growth of homelessness for women over 55 years according to Council to Homeless Persons senior media advisor Kye White.

“Women are more likely to take time out of their career to raise a family or care for a sick elder,” said Mr White, “this affects their super balance.”

A period of time off work compounded by relationship breakdown or a workplace injury can “become slow decent into homelessness,” said Mr White.

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, “half of all woman aged 45 to 59 have $8,000 or less in their superannuation funds.”

In comparison, half of Australian men in the same age bracket have $31,000 in their superannuation funds.

Bus-stop in south-eastern Melbourne suburb used by unhoused persons seeking night-time shelter.

Credit: Olivia Sanders

Mr White highlighted housing consequences relating the COVID-19 health epidemic as another factor in the rising homelessness rate.

Low income earners spending 30% or more of their income on rent are considered to be in “housing stress” according to Mr White, while the median rent for a one bedroom flat in regional Victoria is “still well over 30% of your income if you’re on jobseeker.”

“Then people have to make choices between rent or going to the doctor and having three meals in a day,” said Mr White.

Legal Aid family violence lived experience consultant Cathy Oddie said the superannuation gap affects women over the age of 55 disproportionately to younger women.

Because compulsory superannuation was only introduced in Australia in 1991 so women over 55 years “potentially do not have a lot of super saved,” said Ms Oddie.

“They would have started their working lives in a time when superannuation didn’t exist for them,” said Ms Oddie.

Women who have not worked at all during a long term relationship are at “particular risk” of housing insecurity if that relationship breaks down.

Available support services generally go to women with children or dependants first, “which makes sense in some ways,” said Ms Oddie, “but where does it leave everyone else?”

“It’s not about prioritising anyone over anyone else,” said Ms Oddie, who thinks the government can be doing more to support all people in housing insecurity.

Ms Oddie said the Australian government should build more long term crisis housing, redevelop empty spaces in urban areas and consider taxes on empty investment housing.

And pointed to initiatives private companies can enact to help solve the crisis, like impact investing.

Which according to Impact Investing Australia, are investments that aim to make a “positive social and environmental impact with a financial return”.

“It’s profit for a purpose,” said Ms Oddie “some superannuation funds in Australia already do it but we need to see more of it from a range of organisations.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness please consider reaching out to Housing Victoria to find your nearest crisis centre. For help with domestic and family violence please consider reaching out to Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre 1800825955 for 24/7 support.