University hosts women’s housing needs forum

The housing needs of women living in the Northern Rivers is the focus of a forum being organised by Southern Cross University on Thursday, August 4, in Lismore, to coincide with National Homeless Persons’ Week.

A panel made up of researchers and service providers will discuss the housing needs of women as well as issues related to service delivery. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Women’s Housing Needs Forum in the Fountain Room at Lismore City Hall, starting at 2pm.

“There is a big gap in our knowledge about the housing needs of women in regional areas, for example groups such as sole parents and single, older women who don’t own their own home,” said University Social Science lecturer Dr Yvonne Hartman.

“It has been acknowledged by many groups that there has been a problem with housing affordability in this region for many years now,” Dr Hartman said. “This forum will help to raise public awareness of the housing needs of women in particular. As well, we hope to initiate partnerships between all the stakeholders in order to address this issue.”

Dr Hartman is coordinating the forum with fellow University researcher and lecturer Dr Sandy Darab.

“We are hoping to start a conversation between service providers and the public and start to work towards some possibilities for the future,” said Dr Darab.

“Whilst women who sleep rough are in the most need, there is also a large population of women who are less visible but who are at risk of becoming homeless in the Northern Rivers region,” she said.

Dr Sonia Laverty from the Older Women’s Network and Dr Louise Holdsworth of Southern Cross University will discuss their research in relation to particular groups of women in need. Emma Bunning of Women Up North and Annie McCabe, Housing Manager, Access (Housing NSW) will speak about housing needs and accessing social and public housing. Other service providers present will have an opportunity to give their perspective.

“We don’t want to be directive about what might come out of the forum,” said Dr Hartman. “But we do envisage that by bringing service providers together they will have that opportunity to network with each other on a personal level, as well as have a chance to listen to women from the community.”

The forum will open with a poetry reading by Southern Cross University student Kath Whyte.

Host and chair of the discussion is Lismore City Mayor Cr Jenny Dowell.

“I'm delighted to help facilitate this important forum,” said Cr Dowell. “Traditionally older, single women have not had access to superannuation so many go into retirement with inadequate savings and without home ownership. The first step in addressing the problem is discussing it.”
Photo: Researchers Dr Yvonne Hartman and Dr Sandy Darab are coordinating the Women’s Housing Needs Forum. Event: The Women’s Housing Needs Forum is being held on Thursday, August 4, in the Fountain Room, Lismore City Hall, from 2pm-4pm. This is a free event and members of the public are welcome to attend.