NSW Government Moves to Address Over 55s Homelessness Crisis

Uniting NSW.ACT has welcomed a NSW Government recommendation to establish a new crisis response and early intervention service for people aged over 55 who are at risk of homelessness, similar to the ‘Home At Last’ model in Victoria.

The new service is one of 40 key recommendations that was handed down yesterday in the government’s final report following a parliamentary inquiry into homelessness for people aged over 55.

The recommendations include investigating the cost of lowering of the priority age for social housing eligibility from 80 years to 55 years, considering additional funding to the Social and Affordable Housing Fund and financing the construction of new social housing that would be specifically allocated to older women.

Uniting has advocated for a number of the inquiry’s recommendations in its role as a member of the NSW Ageing on the Edge forum. These include:

• Fund a specialist older person’s housing information and support service that comprises both an early intervention and crisis response, similar to the HAAG Home at Last model in Victoria.
• Lower the priority age for social housing eligibility from 80 years as a matter of urgency.
• Build 5,000 social and affordable homes per year for 10 years, at least 20% of which should be dedicated to older people.

Uniting General Manager, Impact and Innovation, Tamara Pararajasingham, said, “The report’s recommendations are very encouraging, but there is still more work to be done. Uniting will continue to advocate for government action to address the homelessness crisis among people aged over 55,” Pararajasingham said.

“The report found the shortfall in both social and affordable housing is the single greatest challenge for people who are at risk of homelessness in NSW.”

“Far too many older women in NSW are facing the risk of homelessness and these measures will go some way to providing support for women in crisis situations.

“It’s also unacceptable that a single older-women must wait until she is 80 years old before she is considered a priority for social housing.

“Single older women are among the most marginalised groups in terms of their access to safe, affordable housing that is well located and suitable for their needs. It’s important that we remove unnecessary burdens that hinder access to housing for people in need.”

“Uniting also welcomes increasing transparency of housing related data and establishing the true extent of homelessness among older people.”

The government is required to respond to the recommendations within three months.

Based on 2011 and 2016 Census data, the number of people aged 55 and over experiencing homelessness in NSW increased by 42%.

There are currently about 50,000 applicants on NSW social housing waiting list. Of those, over 15,800 are aged over 55 years.

NSW saw 88 per cent growth in the number of women over the age of 55 years accessing homelessness services between 2014 and 2017, according to The NSW Homelessness Strategy. In 2018, there were an estimated 110,000 women over 45 years at risk of homelessness in NSW.

Uniting Director of Property and Housing Simon Furness said, “Having a stable and affordable home is essential to being safe, healthy and participating in the community,” Mr Furness said.

“Uniting welcomes additional funding to the Social and Affordable Housing Fund to address the housing crisis for people aged over 55. Some groups of older people, particularly woman, are disproportionately affected by homelessness.

“Affordable housing is central to everything we do. NSW needs an extra 12,500 social and affordable homes a year to meet demand.

“Uniting is also providing affordable rental accommodation for people in need aged 55 and over and delivering 600 social and affordable dwellings on behalf of the NSW government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF).

“We look forward to the government’s response to the recommendations and to continuing our ongoing work with the NSW Government to improve the lives of older Australians.”  

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