Single ageing women and housing security: a pilot study of women living in the cities of Unley and Salisbury

Women over the age of 55 and living in rental accommodation may be doing so by virtue of personal choice but are far more likely to be living in rental accommodation because of multiple adverse life events, the most common of which is divorce. Following divorce, loss of employment and health issues were the next most common life events impacting adversely on housing and financial security. Beyond that, women reported death of a spouse and having to financially support children as having the greatest impact on their personal circumstances.

The principal aim of the research was to identify, through semi-structured interviews, the attitudes and challenges that single women living in rental accommodation face with respect to housing security. The research was intended to assist OFTA and the South Australian Government by providing an evidence based approach to better understanding the housing challenges and needs of single women over 55.