An Analysis of Homelessness and Older Women in Australia: Challenges

This report addresses the significant social issue of homelessness in Australia, with a specific focus on older women. The report references statistical data, revealing the prevalence of homelessness and highlighting the increase among older women from 2011 to 2016. It identifies recession and poverty as major contributing factors. Furthermore, it explores the impact of homelessness on the physical and mental health of older women, and discusses the influence of cultural beliefs and personal circumstances on the issue. The report also outlines the Australian government's initiatives, including shelter houses and financial support through agencies like the SHS, designed to assist homeless individuals. Overall, the report provides an overview of the challenges and existing support systems for older women experiencing homelessness in Australia.

Challenges
Conclusions
HOMELESSNESS: OLDER WOMEN
OF AUSTRALIA
References
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Homelessness
and homelessness services - Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare [Internet]. Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare. 2019 [cited 11 March 2020]. Available from:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/homele
ssness-and-homelessness-services
2. Humanrights.gov.au. Risk of Homelessness in Older Women
| Australian Human Rights Commission [Internet].
Humanrights.gov.au. 2019 [cited 11 March 2020].
Available from: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-
work/age-discrimination/projects/risk-homelessness-older-
women
3. Homelessnessnsw.org.au. Older people and homelessness |
Homelessness NSW Inc. [Internet].
Homelessnessnsw.org.au. 2020 [cited 11 March 2020].
Available from:
https://www.homelessnessnsw.org.au/resources/older-
people-and-homelessness
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Specialist
Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) - Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare. 2020 [cited 11 March
2020]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/about-our-
data/our-data-collections/specialist-homelessness-
services-collection
• It can be concluded
that homelessness is
a prominent social
issue in the country.
• There are
government
agencies such as the
SHS agency to
support the
homeless people.
• The older women
found in homeless
conditions seem to
have different social
and cultural factors.
• It has also been
seen that the
identified community
is affected with many
mental disorders and
physical issues
which affects the
health of the
identified population.
• The government is
developing shelter
houses and financial
support for the
people from the
lower economic
community to reduce
the rate of
homelessness.
Introduction Beliefs Initiatives
• Homelessness is one
of the most prominent
social issues of
Australia.
• According to census
data, 116,000 people
are homeless in the
country (1).
• The statistical data
also highlighted that
50 people among
10000 people are
homeless in 2016 (1).
• The government
developed several
policies to address
the issue.
• Homelessness
among older women
(above 65 years)
increased by 31 per
cent from 2011 to
2016 (2).
• Recession and
poverty are the major
causes of
homelessness rate
increase (3).
• It can be stated that
the disease rate,
mortality rate,
morbidity rate and
many other negative
factors can increase.
• The quality of life
would hamper of
these homeless old
women.
• The homelessness is
found to be the factor
of the psychological
and cultural belief
affected.
• There are many
factors such as the
personal existence,
identity crisis, family
issues and poverty
related beliefs also
found among the
homeless older
women.
• Most prominent factor
is the cultural beliefs
and the poverty of
people which impacts
over the homeless
situation.
• Australian
government
developed several
policies for the
reduction of the
homelessness among
the older people.
• There are several
shelter houses found
for the homeless
people.
• SHS agency is one of
the agencies focused
on supporting the
homeless people in
the country (4).
• It has been seen that
13,300 older women
are there in the SHS
shelter facilities (1).
• Financial support is
one of the factor
which has been
developed to support
the homeless people.