AnglicareSA will join representatives from a range of community services in forming the State Government’s Older Women’s Housing Taskforce.
Women aged 55-plus are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness and the taskforce will investigate and respond to the housing needs of this group.
AnglicareSA’s Executive General Manager Community Services Nancy Penna will represent the organisation as part of the new taskforce.
“The creation of the Older Women’s Housing Taskforce is an important step in investigating and responding to the growing number of women aged 55-plus who are experiencing homelessness,” said Ms Penna.
“With rental affordability at crisis levels and pressure on social housing and home ownership, the taskforce comes at a critical time,” she said.
In the 2021/22 financial year, AnglicareSA provided homelessness services to 3,304 people.
We provide services and supports for adults and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
AnglicareSA’s homelessness services are delivered as part of the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA) – a collaboration between Aboriginal Sobriety Group, AnglicareSA, Centacare, SA Housing Authority, St John’s Youth Services, The Salvation Army, Uniting Communities and UnitingSA.
“As an organisation, AnglicareSA is active in providing homelessness services and our position on the taskforce gives us the opportunity to advocate further for older women who are at risk of or are currently experiencing homelessness,” said Ms Penna.
“As part of the taskforce, we will identify service gaps and work to improve housing security for older women in South Australia.”
The taskforce will be guided by women with lived experience and will engage with key partners and service providers to address three key themes:
- Accessible supports that make existing homes more flexible to people’s changing needs so people can stay in their own homes for longer.
- Models and options for creating homes that suit a greater diversity of needs.
- Affordable and accessible homes including new models for home ownership and financing.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook said the State Government cannot accept that high numbers of women are living with the threat of homelessness.
“This Taskforce has a critical job ahead of it. The mix of lived experience, expertise and sector experience at the table will provide key insights and identify opportunities to make real differences for older women who worry about their housing future,” she said.
If you or someone you know needs support, visit our homelessness services HERE.