Nearly one in eight people accessing Beyond Housing’s specialist homelessness services is over 55.
In 2023-2024, 345 people aged 55 and over sought assistance from Beyond Housing out of the total of 2,949 people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless across the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regions.
Shockingly, four people were over 85, including a 93-year-old woman.
Wangaratta (190) and Seymour (121) accounted for the majority of those seeking support.
Acting CEO Penny Hargrave emphasised the urgency of addressing this growing issue.
“We must act now to improve access to affordable housing and specialised support services to protect our most vulnerable citizens. The rising cost of living, inadequate retirement savings, and health issues create a perfect storm for older Australians,” she said.
During Homelessness Week (5-11 August), Beyond Housing is highlighting the leading causes of homelessness in the state’s north east.
One poignant example is the story of *Sharon, a 64-year-old woman with a long history of homelessness and significant challenges related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Her struggles had severed family support and compounded her hardships with family violence and physical health issues. Despite these obstacles, she showed no intention of seeking stable housing.
Sharon’s situation became dire when her male friend turned violent, breaching an intervention order and leading to police involvement. Her public intoxication and the family violence situation complicated her life further. Frequent stays in crisis accommodations led to conflicts due to her behaviour when drinking and burning bridges with those trying to help.
Initially, Sharon declined AOD support, not recognising her substance use as an issue. Her health deteriorated, resulting in multiple hospital stays. However, over five months, she began to form a tentative connection with Beyond Housing, seeking support when needed and building rapport with the workers.
The Initial Assessment and Planning team at Beyond Housing worked tirelessly to engage her and connect her with appropriate support services. This involved extensive case management and persistent efforts to build trust. The turning point came when she was linked with Home at Last—Housing for the Aged Action Group. Through coordinated efforts with Beyond Housing, Home at Last, and renewed family support, she was successfully placed in a bedsit in supported accommodation through Merri Outreach Support Services.
Now, Sharon is in stable housing, actively engaging with AOD support services, and working to rebuild her family relationships.
Nationally, homelessness among Australians aged 55 and over is a growing concern. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), older Australians are now the fastest-growing cohort among the homeless population. In 2021-2022, people aged 55 and over comprised 16% of those seeking homelessness services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that the number of older Australians experiencing homelessness increased by 28% from 2011 to 2016 and by an additional 27.6% from 2016 to 2021.
This demographic shift highlights systemic issues, including inadequate retirement savings, rising living costs, and the unavailability of age-appropriate housing. Financial instability, health issues, and the lack of affordable housing are critical barriers.
“Financial hardship can strike unexpectedly, especially for older Australians who are often on fixed incomes. A sudden medical bill or an increase in rent can be devastating,” said Ms Hargrave.
“Affordable social housing is the cornerstone of stability for older Australians. Many face a constant struggle to survive without it.”
*Name changed for privacy reasons.
Sources:
- “Older Clients of Specialist Homelessness Services 2011-2022,” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2022.
- “Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness, 2016-2021,” Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021.
For more information or interviews contact:
Sue Masters
0448 505 517
