The largest proportion of older women presenting with housing crisis in Australia have led conventional lives, and rented whilst working and raising a family. Few have previously had involvement with welfare and other support systems.

Older women’s risk of homelessness can be lessened by the way welfare and housing systems work and interact with older women. However, there remains a lack of evidence which considers issues of specific concern to older women. Many of whom may be homeless for the first time, primarily because of poverty and unaffordable housing.

There is a lack of attention to older women’s homelessness internationally despite recognition of demographic changes, increasing numbers of older people living in poverty, as well as the ageing of people who are already homeless.

A range of policy, service and housing responses are needed. These include rapid re-housing as well as supportive housing and aged care housing options.