Whitehorse is among six eastern metropolitan councils to share $180,000 in Victorian Government funding for a project to prevent homelessness among older women.
The Preventing Homelessness in Older Women Project is being undertaken by the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance (EAHA), auspiced by Knox City Council. The alliance also includes Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges councils.
Whitehorse Mayor Cr Tina Liu said the project works to prevent homelessness among those who are most vulnerable- older women.
"In the eastern metropolitan region, single women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness," she said.
"The funding will help us work with women over 55 to understand their lived experiences, as well as identify service gaps in the region. It will help identify critical points at which intervention may help keep these women safe from homelessness.
"The project findings will be used to inform all levels of government about preventive approaches and alternative housing models for women over 55 that could be delivered locally and across the eastern region."
Since 2017, the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance has advised government on the shortfall in social and affordable housing across the region. There is currently a shortfall of 9,400 dwellings, which will increase to 11,800 by 2032 unless action is taken.
Rising rents in the private rental market, living alone, working part-time, having little savings, and being from a non-English speaking country or Indigenous are among the factors placing older women at greater risk of homelessness.
The $180,000 was provided to the Eastern Metropolitan Partnership under the Victorian Government's Metropolitan Partnerships Development Fund.
