This social issues forum is brought to you by Elderslee Foundation and the Central Coast Older Women's Collective Action on Homelessness (CCOWCAH).  It will explore the issues and potential solutions surrounding older womens homelessness on the Central Coast.  

DID YOU KNOW?

• That homelessness is growing rapidly across Australia, and NSW has the highest number of homeless women?
• Older women (55+) are the fastest growing cohort of homeless (ABS Data) – 30% increase in 5 years? This  does not include the many women who stay with friends, family, in cars, crowded dwellings, or ‘hiding’.
• Older women have particular reasons why they are homeless: high levels of domestic violence; structural issues such as the gender pay gap; nature of industries where many women work; women’s superannuation at retirement is lower than men- ($157,050 vs $270,710)?
• Cultural background – reluctance to seek help

Despite the lower median rental cost on the Central Coast, there is a higher rate of housing stress than Greater Sydney (51% compared with 45%),
largely due to the much lower median household incomes on the Central Coast.  In June 2020, only 22 out of 538 available rental properties were affordable to those in the very low income bracket.

Between 85-100 people sleep in temporary accommodation per night on the Central Coast.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS FORUM?

Anyone with an interest in housing issues, policy makers, service workers, managers, planners- this forum will provide an insight into the extent of the problem, and solutions that are working elsewhere.  

This will bring together a range of people from across sectors. You will hear evidence on what works, learn about successful approaches to addressing the issue, meet specialised practitioners and engage with innovators in collaborative service provision. Delegates will leave with new knowledge and
new perspectives on the potential for services to better equip themselves to achieve solutions on the Central Coast.

The agenda is as follows and will be in a panel format:

SESSION ONE: Understanding the nature of older women's homelessness

SESSION TWO:  A way to the future: exploring solutions

Speakers include representatives from the National Older Women's Network, NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, Kariong Neighbourhood Centre, Women's Community shelters, and the Mercy Foundation. The forum will be facilitated by Ruth Jordon. 

BOOK NOW TO ATTEND THIS VERY IMPORTANT FORUM.  

Credit card payments only.  Regular price is $25, however a concession price of $5 applies to those receiving benefits or on low income. 

WHEN & WHERE?

Wednesday 10 March 2021

Registrations open at 9.15am

Elderslee Foundation,

2/160-162 Pacific Highway, Tuggerah NSW