Following the success of the Gosford project, Tiny Homes is looking to build two self-contained 1 bedroom tiny houses approximately 35sqm in size and designed in accordance with Liveable Design Guidelines to provide safe, secure, long term accommodation for single women over 55 years of age at risk of homelessness. With the support of Central Coast Council and Pacific Link Housing it is hoped that this project will be completed by mid 2026.
Women over 55 are at great risk of financial and housing insecurity due to systemic and compounding factors such as:
– Lack of superannuation
– Working part time or casually throughout their lives
– Taking time out of the workforce to care for family
– Bearing the brunt of the gender pay gap
– An increasingly unaffordable private rental market
– Age discrimination
– More investment in social and affordable housing that is appropriate for this cohort is desperately needed.
– A recent report from the Grattan Institute reported that 78% of single women who rent in the private market have the highest poverty rates for retired Australians, putting them at great risk of homelessness.
This group of women have suffered lifelong discrimination. Some were forced to resign when they married or were pregnant; financial discrimination meant that many were unable to enter into a home mortgage until the 1970’s; age discrimination means that older people find it difficult to find employment.
A life event such as the death of a spouse, serious illness, divorce or no-grounds eviction can push a woman into homelessness.
Project at a Glance
Capital Cost ($): $350k (est.)
Completion Date: 2026 (est.)
Social Impact ($): Community Costs Saved > $30k p.a.
Key Elements: Independent Living, Over-55 Women, Affordable Housing
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