The issue of homelessness among older women - the fastest-growing demographic experiencing housing insecurity - took centre stage at Kiama Leagues Club last Thursday.

Hosted by Kiama Community Radio (KCR), the Older Women’s Network (OWN) and Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI), the event was part of Homelessness Week’s national “Homelessness Action Now” campaign and drew a crowd of 200.

The evening began with Frances, a short film produced in the Illawarra, telling the story of a mature professional woman, a university lecturer, who, following divorce, loses her rental home to the Airbnb market and is forced to secretly live in her car.

As her ordeal unfolds, the audience is taken into the frightening reality of navigating daily life without secure housing.

The powerful performance by lead actor Juliet Scrine, and the story’s unflinching look at the dangers and indignities faced by homeless women, left the audience visibly moved.

Although Frances’ character has no roof over her head at all, homelessness is often invisible with many women staying temporarily with friends or relatives, in crisis housing or hostel accommodation.

The film portrays Frances’ ex-husband as caring and concerned, whereas the reality is that almost half of the women facing homelessness are escaping abusive relationships.

Filmmaker Sharon Lewis said the idea for the film came after seeing women sleeping in their cars along the Illawarra coast.

Local woman Lyn Bailey then shared her own experience of nearly becoming homeless after the breakdown of her marriage, speaking candidly about the shame and fear that often stops older women from asking for help.

The Katandra Choir’s soaring harmonies brought balance to the evening, celebrating resilience and hope between the hard-hitting discussions.

A panel featuring OWN NSW chief executive officer Yumi Lee, SAHSSI CEO Penny Dordoy and Bailey explored the systemic causes of older women’s homelessness - from a chronic shortage of affordable rentals to decades of underinvestment in social housing.

“It’s the lack of affordable rental properties, pure and simple,” Lee said, urging policy reform and grassroots lobbying.

Other key points included:

• Policy reform is urgently needed to prioritise housing as a human right over investment portfolios.
• Community members are encouraged to lobby their MPs and councillors for change.

The forum also highlighted innovative responses, such as the Blue Mountains-based Homes for Older Women program, which matches homeowners with older women in need of secure housing.

Local groups are now exploring similar models for Kiama.

By the evening’s close, $1670 had been raised for SAHSSI to provide essentials to older women at risk in the Kiama area.

Organisers are now calling for local stories to help build a clearer picture of the problem and push for targeted services, including a women’s refuge.

For more information or to share a story, email [email protected] or text KCR on 0432 292 151.