The homelessness crisis in the region is being put under the microscope during Homelessness Week, with Beyond Housing reporting that 345 people aged over 55 sought the organisation’s help in the last financial year.
That equates to nearly one in every eight of the 2949 people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless who presented to Beyond Housing in the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regions who are elderly.
Four were 85; one of those 93.
Wangaratta and Seymour saw the highest number of support seekers present, with 190 and 121, respectively.
“We must act now to improve access to affordable housing and specialised support services to protect our most vulnerable citizens,” Beyond Housing acting chief executive Penny Hargrave said.
“The rising cost of living, inadequate retirement savings and health issues create a perfect storm for older Australians.”
During Homelessness Week, August 5 to 11, Beyond Housing shared the story of Sharon*, a 64-year-old woman with a long history of homelessness and alcohol and other drug, known as AOD, abuse.
With no family support, Sharon’s hardships compounded with family violence and physical health issues. Despite those obstacles, she showed no intention of seeking stable housing.
Her situation became dire when a male friend turned violent, breaching an intervention order and leading to police involvement.
She burnt support bridges after her drinking behaviour led to conflicts during her frequent stays in crisis accommodation.
Initially, Sharon declined AOD support, denying her substance use was an issue. Her health deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital multiple times.
Over five months, she formed a connection with Beyond Housing, seeking support when needed and building rapport with staff.
The Initial Assessment and Planning team at Beyond Housing worked to engage her and connect her with support services.
The team performed extensive case management and made persistent efforts to build her trust.
Sharon’s turning point came when she was linked with Home at Last — Housing for the Aged Action Group.
Through Beyond Housing, Home at Last, and renewed family support, she was successfully placed in supported accommodation through Merri Outreach Support Services.
Sharon is now in stable housing, actively engaging with AOD support services and rebuilding relationships.
Homelessness rates among Australians aged 55 and over are growing nationally.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, older Australians are now the fastest-growing group in the homeless population.
In 2021-22, people aged 55 and over made up 16 per cent of those seeking homelessness services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the number of older Australians experiencing homelessness increased by 28 per cent from 2011 to 2016 and by a further 27.6 per cent from 2016 to 2021.
The demographic shift suggests systemic problems, including inadequate retirement savings, rising living costs and the unavailability of age-appropriate housing. Financial instability, health issues and lack of affordable housing are critical barriers.
“Financial hardship can strike unexpectedly, especially for older Australians who are often on fixed incomes,” Ms Hargrave said.
“A sudden medical bill or an increase in rent can be devastating.
“Affordable social housing is the cornerstone of stability for older Australians. Many face a constant struggle to survive without it.”
You can find more information about Beyond Housing’s services here.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.