The Department of Communities, Housing and the Digital Economy has launched a fund aiming to tackle social isolation and loneliness among older women.
Acting Minister for Communities and Housing, Glenn Butcher said the first round of the Stay Connected Fund would support for women over 55 experiencing social isolation.
“We know that social isolation and loneliness have had an impact on vulnerable Queenslanders, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Butcher said.
“Everyone deserves to feel like they belong, but many people who have been through a crisis often feel isolated and alone.
“Under this first round, funding will be available for individuals and organisations to deliver culturally-responsive, place-based and person-centred projects that will address social isolation and loneliness among older women.”
He said the program linked with the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness and its commitment to act on all the recommendations from the inquiry.
“The Stay Connected Fund builds on the success of the Dignity First Fund, which provided funding towards innovative approaches to supporting Queenslanders who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” Mr Butcher said.
“Funding was made available to organisations to deliver localised services to reduce the impact of homelessness, and help people live with dignity, by targeting projects that improve life skills, tenancy skills, education and employment opportunities.”
He gave the example of Dignity First funding supporting the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre to help young people experiencing homelessness improve their lives through access to training and employment.
Mr Butcher said that not only were older women more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, they were also the fastest-growing demographic experiencing homelessness in Australia.
“Research shows that older women are more likely to experience homelessness for the first time later in life and can become homeless because of a change in circumstances such as an increase in rent, relationship breakdown, reduction in income due to casual or part-time employment, or death of their spouse,” he said.
“That is why this fund will prioritise projects that have a focus on vulnerable older women and complement other local support available for older women in Queensland through the new housing and support hub for older women.”
More information on the Stay Connected Fund can be accessed at this PS News link.
