But we know housing affordability is a challenge that must also be viewed through a gender lens.
Women can be particularly vulnerable to homelessness. In the past decade, women over 55 have been the fastest growing cohort experiencing homelessness. More recently, rates of homelessness for women aged 40 to 49 years old also increased at double the rate.
That’s in large part due to the financial barriers women face over the course of their lives.
Women may have taken time out of the workforce to look after children, missing out on promotions and superannuation. The gender pay gap continues to affect their economic security over a lifetime. Or they may experience family violence, which robs them of the roof over their heads.
It’s why this Budget invests $216 million to support Victorians experiencing homelessness, and support Victorians into housing, including women:
- $197 million to continue essential services to address homelessness, including targeted housing and support to young people and women experiencing homelessness.
- $19 million so that public housing tenants, the majority of whom are women, can request any necessary maintenance to their homes through a modern and user-friendly system.
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