Lynne enjoys her solitude at home. (Photo: Julie Nance)
Story by Julie Nance
The Homes for Older Women (HOW) program is a successful community-based solution to the national housing crisis. Since launching in May last year, the Blue Mountains not-for-profit has secured accommodation for 47 older women facing housing insecurity and homelessness.
Writer Julie Nance helped set up the program as a volunteer and recently finished a challenging but rewarding year as Program Manager. She shares the experiences of women involved with, and impacted by, the grass-roots initiative.
Key Points:
Research shows older women are now the fastest-growing group to experience homelessness in Australia. 66% of homeless people in the Blue Mountains in 2021-22 were women. This is higher than the national figure.
Older women are at greater risk of housing insecurity due to factors including relationship separation, death of a partner and retirement. Women often have significantly lower superannuation balances and savings than men.
The Homes for Older Women program collaborates with local homeowners, volunteers, community organisations, businesses and three levels of government to help combat the housing crisis.
As Lynne sits crocheting on her back deck overlooking the bush, memories of loss and homelessness don’t bite as powerfully as they used to.
The 72-year-old once ran a successful small business in the mid-Mountains and is a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. After Lynne’s partner of 18 years passed away, her life took a series of negative turns.
She was given notice to leave her rental property and struggled to secure accommodation on one income. After couch surfing with family for a few months, she suffered a mini stroke.
“It was traumatic losing my partner – we had a lot of plans,” Lynne says. “I was homeless, unwell and very stressed about the future.”
The HOW program connects women aged 55+ facing housing insecurity and homelessness with compassionate homeowners who have vacant rental accommodation – granny flats, studios, houses, apartments or spare bedrooms. Run by Older Women’s Network (OWN) Blue Mountains, the free service is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers including those fielding calls and emails daily from distraught older women needing help.
Many, like Lynne, have brought up families and had successful careers. A high percentage of home seekers are on aged or disability pensions but some are still working full-time or part-time. They simply can’t afford the ridiculously high rents or compete against rental applicants with double incomes.
It was confronting to face the reality that in our beautiful Blue Mountains community my own peers – women in their 50s and alarmingly as old as 80 – are sleeping in their cars or vans, couch surfing or pet sitting, often for years. Some have escaped domestic violence or are facing mental or physical health challenges, exacerbated by their living conditions.
Despite the stories of hardship and despair, there was a strong undercurrent of resilience and courage. One of the biggest rewards was seeing the transformation in women once they had secured a home.
For Lynne, moving into a two-bedroom, furnished granny flat in the upper Mountains allowed her to regain her independence and enjoy her hobbies again.
“HOW has given me an anchor and the security I need,” Lynne says. “It was the answer to my prayers. My landlord is the best I’ve ever had.”
After couch surfing, Lynne enjoys her own kitchen. (Photo: Julie Nance)
The origins of HOW
In early 2023 Bronwen Johnston, a member (now Chair) of OWN Blue Mountains, came up with the idea to utilise existing accommodation to support older women facing housing insecurity. The concept was embraced by the local membership and OWN NSW. Bronwen formed a volunteer team with fellow members Heather Shepherd and Kerry Chater. Vent Thomas, a local IT expert, joined the team and after Kerry left her position, I was invited to come on board.
We worked hard for many months to get ready for launch. In March last year I secured the role of Program Manager, with a Mercy Foundation grant funding two days of my full-time workload. The dedicated volunteer team continued to grow.
I was saddened to spot a handwritten note pinned on a noticeboard outside a lower Mountains supermarket from a 90-year-old seeking accommodation. We knew we wouldn’t be short of vulnerable older women requiring our services, but we had no idea if homeowners would come to the party once we launched our expression of interest process in late May.
The note that made my heart sink. (Photo: Julie Nance)
We needn’t have worried. The response from the community was swift and overwhelming. Within 10 months the program had housed 47 women in a wide range of accommodation including studios, granny flats and share houses. We even found a property for a tiny home!
HOW has attracted a growing number of supporters in addition to OWN NSW including Scenic World, ActiveCampaign, Catholic Care, Blue Mountains Computers and Bendigo Bank. In December last year Homes NSW (Homelessness Innovation Fund) became a program partner which boosted resources and allowed the employment of part-time Program Officer Michelle.
Fundraising and donations are still required to address the high volume of women needing accommodation and wrap-around support. The number of women on the books often swells to more than 70, with a constant shortage of self-contained accommodation.
HOW volunteer Sandy Croker, a social worker, was one of the first volunteers to come on board, donating one day per week to support intake calls from home seekers and homeowners.
“I love the uniqueness of the program, the women’s stories and how the program reaches out to the community,” Sandy says. “Homelessness affects everybody.”
Former HOW Program Manager Julie (in white) with intake volunteers (L-R) Coralie, Sandy, Carol, Program Officer Michelle and Kathryn. (Photo supplied)
Collaborating with the experts
From its inception, HOW has gained valuable support from an Advisory Committee including representatives from Blue Mountains Health and Resource Centre (BMHRC), Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC), Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN), Link Wentworth and Zonta Club Blue Mountains.
Kris Newton, MCRN Executive Officer, says HOW demonstrates the strength of place-based, locally-run initiatives that are “agile, flexible and able to act swiftly”. She says they are not tied down by layers of bureaucracy, they know their local ‘patch’ and they are able to harness local community goodwill.
“HOW offers a template for how a community can craft effective local solutions, utilising local knowledge and local partnerships to deal with local issues,” Kris says.
Homeowners participating in the program gain a financial return for renting out accommodation and also have the satisfaction of making a significant difference in the lives of older women.
Wendy Truelove spotted a HOW Facebook post soon after purchasing an investment property in Lithgow. The founder of Red Dot Animal Programs – a rehoming, education and desexing charity – was acutely aware of the challenge of finding pet-friendly rentals.
When HOW put forward a woman with an elderly dog, two cats and a bird, Wendy didn’t hesitate to consider her application and offered her the long-term rental.
“I am often contacted by people facing the heartbreaking decision of surrendering their pets to be able to secure a rental home,” Wendy says. “Renting my property with HOW means an older woman and her animals can stay together.”
Wendy, a HOW home provider and program supporter. (Photo supplied)
Red Dot has recently come on board as a HOW supporter, providing donations of pet food and other products.
“In a single income household, after paying rent, utilities and groceries there is often little left over,” Wendy says.
Saying goodbye
Late last month (March) I had to walk away from a program I’m passionate about so I could focus on my health. I learned so much from the women we supported and all the wonderful people offering help. This includes the importance of a stable home, connecting to community, self-care and hope.
I received an email before I left which reinforced the importance of HOW:
“I want to thank you and everyone working in this program so much for giving me hope at a very dark time. Having people who listened to me with compassion and understanding meant more than I can tell you, and I hope you know how much what you do matters.”
Take Action:
If you have a vacant studio, granny flat, home, apartment or spare bedroom, get in touch with new HOW Program Manager Katherine Starr for an obligation-free chat: 0493 965 190; how@ownnsw.org.au; or visit how.ownnsw.org.au
Join us for this fabulous workshop: Designing Your Future Home on Saturday 19 July (10am-12 noon) Create a Healthy, Comfortable and Energy-Efficient Home
Join local Passive House Designer Karina Rafailov from Earthy Haus for a relaxed, interactive, and inspiring workshop. Whether you’re planning a new build or thinking about a renovation, this session will empower you with the knowledge to create a home that’s healthier for your family and kinder to the planet.
Places are strictly limited in this hands-on workshop so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/workshop-designing-your-future-home-tickets-1417752157869
As an increasing number of people are being affected by winter viruses, we’re offering a free session of Tai Chi and Qigong on Saturday 5 July in the warmth of our beautiful Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition. Places are limited so book in early here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/40fnGW2 Learn more about these Chinese medicine movement practices in the video interview with Virginia Field on our YouTube channel (link in profile) and read about how Chinese medicine helped her overcome illness as a young woman in our story: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit with Tai Chi and Qigong here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/tai-chi-and-qigong/
If you’re interested in learning how to propagate native plants and are keen to help our bush regenerate, the Bushcare Seed Collectors meet on the second Tuesday of the month. Check out how they cook Banksias to release their seed and learn more about the group, and native seed collecting, in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/bushcare-seed-collectors/
If you’d like to join the group, contact the Bushcare officer Tracy Abbas on 4780 5623 or email tabbas@bmcc.nsw.gov.au
Littlejohni, the Rare and Endangered Northern Heath Frog, photographed in Woodford!
When the Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition opened at the Planetary Health Centre in March it featured photos of 20 different local frogs. We were thrilled, however, when Andy Klotz and other members of the Hawkesbury Herpetological Society recently managed to photograph another frog in Woodford: the rarely seen and endangered Litoria littlejohni, also known as the Northern Heath Frog or Orange-bellied Tree Frog. We’ve added a photo of that frog to the exhibition and created a new Frogs of the Blue Mountains video in which you can listen to its call on our YouTube channel. We interviewed Andy to learn more about the Littlejohni and how they managed to find its small local population. You can read this story in Mid Mountains Local News (link in profile). #biodiversity #bluemountainsfrogs #northernheathfrog #litorialittlejohni #bluemountains #woodford #planetaryhealth #hawkesburyherpetologicalsociety...
Our newsletter is now out! Read about how you can contribute to @bluemountainscitycouncil`s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy; watch our video on Falling in Love with Glossy Black Cockatoos; see the new photos of the rare Northern Heath Frog; watch how the Bushcare Seed Collectors cook banksias to release their seeds; learn more about Tai Chi and Qigong, the Chinese medicine movement practices; and take part in our next workshop on Designing Your Future Home with Passive House Designer Karina Rafailov from @earthy_haus
Read it here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/40e4GHr
Our video on Falling In Love With Glossy Black Cockatoos is now up on our Planetary Health YouTube channel (sorry, it`s too big to share here but there`s a link in our profile).
Jayden Gunn finishes his presentation by saying:
"Care is like a snowball. The more people you tell the bigger the snowball gets, and the further it goes. And the more we know, the more we care. And the more we know, the more we`re able to help."
The video is of our fabulous Forum on Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo, and includes presentations by Jayden Gunn, BirdLife Australia, Amanda Foxon-Hill from Mid Lachlan Landcare, and STEM teacher Samantha Bowden from Glenbrook Public School. There`s a link with the video on how to register for the Community Tree Planting Day in Goologong on 5 July (and it`s also in our profile). Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCERdF21Ud0&t=13s
Today we`re enjoying eating ripe medlars! Medlars are attractive cold climate fruit trees that were popular in Medieval gardens. They`re one of the few fruits that can be harvested in late Autumn and eaten in early Winter when they`re fully ripe. This is a great time of year to plant them for a future harvest. Check out our short video on how to eat them! #coldclimategardens #ediblegardens #medlars #growyourown #planetaryhealth #bluemountains...
We`re thrilled to share that last night @BlueMountainsCityCouncil`s Planetary Health Centre won the Innovative Leadership Award (Population Under 150K) in the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. What a great end to World Environment Day! 🌏 This award celebrates how local government can lead transformative change for a more sustainable future. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard with us to make our vision a reality. You can read more about what we`re doing at our website (link in profile): http://www.bluemountainsplanetaryhealth.com.au/ @ph_alliance #planetaryhealth #worldenvironmentday #localgovernmentleadership #nswlocalgovernmentexcellenceawards...
Blocking out a couple of hours a week to step off the treadmill and give ourselves time to nurture our relationship with the earth and ourselves, is one way to keep our creative spirit and ‘lust for life’ alive. If you haven’t done so yet, one opportunity over the next week is to spend some ‘slow’ time in the 2024 Wynne Prize exhibition at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre before it closes on 15 June. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/the-2024-wynne-prize/ @bluemountainsculturalcentre @artgalleryofnsw #wynneprize #landscapes #bluemountains #katoomba #artexhibition #planetaryhealth...
Recognising how violence and war impact the health of the planet, the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has become a member of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. On Sunday 25th May, we attended a presentation by Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today at the Leura Uniting Church. In this powerful presentation Dr Suter questions why we learn about war rather than successful peace negotiations! View the video of his presentation below and read our full story in Katoomba Area Local News here: https://bit.ly/3Fl4WgQ (link in profile)
With an extra day up your sleeve this long weekend, it`s a great opportunity to give nature a hand to regenerate and provide more habitat for our fellow species! Join our fabulous all ages Planetary Health Bushcare Group from 1.30pm and then participate in the Forum on Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo at 4pm, followed by drinks and nibblies! You can also start the day with a fabulous Tai Chi session at 8am. Visit our Planetary Health Pluriversity website to book in and learn more (link in profile): https://bmpluriversity.org/program/
Or ring 0407 437 553 for more information. #planetaryhealth #bushcare #katoomba #bluemountains #glossyblackcockatoos #landcare #biodiversity #habitat #wearenature #togetherwecan...
In this inspiring interview with Medlow Bath resident Amanda Foxon-Hill she talks about her work with Mid Lachlan Landcare, why Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo is so important, and why she loves her work so much! Read the full story in Blackheath Area Local News here: https://blackheathnews.com/connecting-landscapes-for-glossy-black-cockatoos/
Book in for the Growing Connected Landscapes Forum at 4pm this Saturday 7 June here: https://events.humanitix.com/growing-connected-landscapes-for-the-glossy-black-cockatoo Register your interest for the Community Tree Planting Day in Goologong here: https://events.humanitix.com/glossy-black-cockatoo-community-tree-planting-5
Katoomba Area Local News is part of the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, a collaboration to reduce the risk of future disasters by expanding local communications – from the Lower Mountains to Lithgow.
This site links storytellers with community, highlighting grassroots local solutions. Our stories help us connect.
There’s a small group of passionate Blue Mountains Bushcarers who meet monthly to collect and clean local native seed. We met up with them to find out how and why they cooked Banksias to release seeds, how they cleaned the seeds of a variety of different Gahnia species, and why they love being part of the Bushcare Seed Collectors Group.
