‘I can feel like a human again’: Hopes new SA housing trial will divert women from homelessness

Anmatjere and Arrernte grandmother, Rhubee Neale, never realised it would be so difficult to find a home in Adelaide.

The 59-year-old moved from Yulara to the city in December to pursue her passion for painting and singing, but had to couch-surf at friends’ houses to keep a roof over her head.

“I was feeling that real gut feeling when your heart breaks,” she said.

“I think it gets really hard because you just think, why don’t people just give us a chance?

“All we need is that home, that clear space to think and regroup and other supports to give you that confidence to pursue whatever dream you have.”

According to the South Australian government, women aged 55 and over are one of the fastest growing populations who experience homelessness.

Many, including Ms Neale, have previously fled domestic violence, have health challenges, and don’t always have a stable income.

“Women have been and still are part of the gender pay gap, which is not acceptable,” Human Services Minister, Nat Cook, said.

“It also is true that many women give up working for many years in order to raise children, in order to raise and care for a family, and during that time they are subject to no superannuation accruals or income.

“They have nothing spare in the tank.”

New housing trial to divert women from homelessness

Not-for-profit organisations Carrington Cottages and Baptist Care SA, together with the SA Government’s Toward Home Alliance, hope a new emergency accommodation trial will help women sleeping rough in Adelaide.

The 10-bed service, called Wright Place, is funded for one year and provides women with accommodation and support to get them into longer-term housing.

Carrington Cottages CEO Karen Aistrope said the waitlist for women’s emergency housing was “enormous” and more beds were needed to meet demand.

“We are seeing an increase in women and especially in that older bracket of women, of women over 40,” she said.

“They are sometimes hidden from view, however, we are seeing them more open-view because it is an unfamiliar territory to navigate homelessness.”

Ms Cook said Wright Place would help women experiencing homelessness, who might also have mental health and drug and alcohol problems, a history of domestic violence, contact with the criminal justice system, or an experience of intergenerational poverty.

“This is a place where they can recalibrate, they can get the supports to become tenants and become people who are living in a home over the long-term,” she said.

Toward Home Alliance, which is funded by the SA Government, contributed about $20,000 towards the refurbishment of the Wright Place building.

Housing makes women ‘feel like a human again’

Ms Neale found housing through Carrington Cottages about six months ago and on Tuesday became Wright Place’s inaugural caretaker.

She said she is looking forward to helping other women escape homelessness through the role, while also pursuing her art career.

“Now that I’ve got a nice environment to grow and nurture and get grounded, I’m really grateful,” she said.

“Just connecting with other sisters – that’s what I’m looking forward to.

“I can feel like a human again. I can feel at peace.”