As a company, we’re so proud of our long history of providing our services and support for housing and accommodation for women and their families – from housing during an emergency through to student accommodation.
Women face some of the biggest housing affordability challenges in our community. Poverty, financial inequality and other structural barriers place women at risk of significant housing stress and homelessness. We see this every day in our work.
Access to safe, secure and affordable housing is fundamental in ending inequality for women.
Through our subsidiary companies led by YWCA National Housing, we’re one of the largest medium to long term housing providers for women in Victoria.
As a registered Community Housing Provider, we provide nearly 150,000 nights of affordable accommodation for women each year across Australia.
Women make up the majority of people utilising housing support systems, including public housing tenants, Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) recipients and those approaching specialist homelessness services (i.e. family violence services).
There has been a 10% increase in homelessness among women since 2011.
In particular, the number of older women experiencing homelessness grew 31% from 2011-2016.
Almost 70% of the women housed by YWCA National Housing have experienced family violence. A lack of affordable and available housing further inhibits women’s options to leave.
Women’s economic disadvantage also contributes to instability in housing. Workplace Gender Equality Agency data consistently reports that men out-earn women in every industry and across all occupations, and women disproportionately occupy part-time and casual employment. Women also retire on average with around half the superannuation of men.
To find out more about our work in supporting women with safe and affordable housing, head over to our National Housing website.
