Sunday Star-Times: "Soup, Super and Survival: The Reality of Growing Old in NZ"
In a powerful article in the Sunday Star Times, Vic Crockford, Project Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness (CEWH), warns that Aotearoa is facing a rising crisis of homelessness among older women, and still, there is no plan to respond.
Speaking to Kevin Norquay for their feature “Soup, Super and Survival: The Reality of Growing Old in NZ”, Vic points to our research Ngā Ara ki te Kāinga which shows that older women are one of the most at-risk groups when it comes to homelessness.
“The scale of it is deeply concerning, particularly for these older women, who are often invisible in the data but highly visible to those working on the front lines,” Vic said.
Recent research and frontline experience show that:
women continue to be over-represented in severe housing deprivation, with 57,576 women compared to 53,793 men.
many of these women come from private rentals or even former home ownership, but can’t afford rent on NZ Super or their limited savings.
despite these realities, there is still no dedicated national action plan to prevent and respond to older women’s homelessness.
As Vic explains, homelessness among women remains less visible. Women are more likely to be couch surfing, staying in overcrowded housing, or remaining in unsuitable or unsafe living situations to avoid sleeping rough.
These hidden forms of homelessness are harder to count, and often ignored in policy and funding decisions.
Dot's Story: “I tick nearly every box.”
The article features the story of Dot Hutton, 82, who lives alone in Masterton. She’s never owned a home and now rents a modest unit, relying solely on her pension. She says:
“I tick nearly every box - I’m female, live alone, renting, and I’ve only got the pension to live on.”
Dot lost her chance at home ownership after her husband died young. She now lives on a tight budget, grateful for a good landlord and small overdraft she pays back $10 a week - but every expense is weighed carefully and a big car repair or dental bill could send things spiralling.
Her story is far from unique. More older women are living on the edge of housing insecurity, and many are experiencing financial hardship for the first time in their lives.
The Sunday Star-Times article also draws on new Retirement Commission data that reveals:
40% of over-65s rely solely on Super to get by
Only half feel confident their savings will last
Women, renters, disabled people, and solo dwellers face the most insecurity
Vic’s message is clear: without serious action, more women will be pushed to the margins in later life. Their needs overlooked, their experiences hidden.
“Homelessness among older women in Aotearoa is growing, and without a dedicated women’s homelessness action plan, the crisis will only deepen,” Vic said.
Read the Sunday Star Times article here
