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Case study

Preventing Homelessness Among Older Women Research Project

Client
EAHA – Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance
Project
Preventing Homelessness Among Older Women Research Project
  • understand
  • Urban development/housing
Illustrated workshop notes exploring retirement-village affordability, homelessness support and resident advocacy

The challenge

Councils across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs identified a growing and often hidden issue: increasing housing insecurity and homelessness among older women, even in communities traditionally associated with high levels of wealth and access to services. Councils came together to commission research to understand what was driving this trend, who was most at risk, where vulnerability was concentrated and what could be done to prevent homelessness.

Our solution

We delivered a participatory research program bringing together older women with lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness, local government and service providers. Our trauma-informed approach deliberately centred lived experience, ensuring women were not simply research participants but active contributors to understanding the problem and shaping potential solutions. Participants reported feeling heard, respected and proud of their contribution to the process.

The outcome

We translated the research into a series of practical reports, presentations and online resources to support policy, advocacy and service responses. Importantly, the project also built relationships between councils, service providers and community members, seeding new ideas and collaborations that have since contributed to additional shared housing solutions across the region.

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