Our Purpose
Older women are now the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness in Australia... a crisis driven by lifelong gender inequality, financial disadvantage, and a lack of affordable housing options.
Across Australia, thousands of older women are living in cars, couch surfing, staying in unsafe situations, or facing eviction because they cannot afford rising rents. Many have spent their lives caring for others, working in low paid roles, or navigating financial abuse, only to find themselves without secure housing later in life.
This is not a personal failure. It is a systemic gap and S.H.O.W. is stepping in to close it. We work to provide safe, long term, and financially sustainable rental accommodation for financially disadvantaged women over 55 on The Bellarine.
Our Mission
To provide safe, affordable, and purpose built rental homes for financially disadvantaged women over 55 on The Bellarine.
Through community led solutions and collaborative partnerships, we address the unique housing challenges faced by older women, so that they can thrive and live with confidence.
Our financially sustainable housing projects will create connected communities, fostering independence, dignity and belonging for women.
Our Vision
A future where no older woman faces homelessness.
A future where safe, affordable housing is a right, not a privilege.
A future where communities come together to ensure women can age with dignity, security, and belonging.
Our History
Our community focused organisation S.H.O.W. was previously known as Women Living Well on The Bellarine (W.L.W) and was established under the auspice of the SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre (Drysdale) in 2019.
S.H.O.W.’s cause has gained momentum, through regular updates via the SpringDale Community Magazine
(The Messenger) each month.
Our Management
Our management Committee consists of dedicated local, community minded people who are passionate to provide a solution to the housing crisis older women face.
Why Support Us
S.H.O.W. is more than a charity... it’s a movement for housing justice, dignity, and community.
When we create homes, we create hope.
When we support older women, we strengthen our whole community.
Our Purpose
Older women are now the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness in Australia... a crisis driven by lifelong gender inequality, financial disadvantage, and a lack of affordable housing options.
Across Australia, thousands of older women are living in cars, couch surfing, staying in unsafe situations, or facing eviction because they cannot afford rising rents. Many have spent their lives caring for others, working in low paid roles, or navigating financial abuse, only to find themselves without secure housing later in life.
This is not a personal failure. It is a systemic gap and S.H.O.W. is stepping in to close it. We work to provide safe, long term, and financially sustainable rental accommodation for financially disadvantaged women over 55 on The Bellarine.
Our Mission
To provide safe, affordable, and purpose built rental homes for financially disadvantaged women over 55 on The Bellarine.
Through community led solutions and collaborative partnerships, we address the unique housing challenges faced by older women, so that they can thrive and live with confidence.
Our financially sustainable housing projects will create connected communities, fostering independence, dignity and belonging for women.
Our Vision
A future where no older woman faces homelessness.
A future where safe, affordable housing is a right, not a privilege.
A future where communities come together to ensure women can age with dignity, security, and belonging.
Our History
Our community focused organisation S.H.O.W. was previously known as Women Living Well on The Bellarine (W.L.W) and was established under the auspice of the SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre (Drysdale) in 2019.
S.H.O.W.’s cause has gained momentum, through regular updates via the SpringDale Community Magazine
(The Messenger) each month.
Our Management
Our management Committee consists of dedicated local, community minded people who are passionate to provide a solution to the housing crisis older women face.
Why Support Us
S.H.O.W. is more than a charity... it’s a movement for housing justice, dignity, and community.
When we create homes, we create hope.
When we support older women, we strengthen our whole community.
The Four Stages to Making a Real Change
It is said there are four stages to making a real change in a life situation:
Alertness, Interest, Desire and Action.
Some four years ago we were alerted to staggering information that one in three women over the age of 55 is living in financial poverty.
This cohort of women is the most likely to find themselves homeless in the future, and most of these women have never experienced homelessness before.
These are facts and they were confirmed time and again as we read and researched all the data and statistics we could find. We became interested in what was being done and how this tragedy had happened.
For women over 55, their most urgent need is safe, affordable, long-term housing. The statistics and data prove that providing women with security of housing will decrease the ever-growing need for many government and community funded services such as mental health, declining physical health due to malnutrition and poor diet, crime and domestic violence and emergency housing and food relief.
We quickly moved into the desire stage; the desire to do something, to see things change, to alert others to this shameful situation.
Through articles in the SpringDale Messenger we put out an invitation to the women in our area who were in this situation to share their stories and experiences. We had women from all walks of life and backgrounds bravely opening up about their journeys. We also had women who wanted to help and support in whatever way they could.
And so, our mission for Sustainable Housing for Older Women (S.H.O.W.) on The Bellarine, began. We moved into the action stage of Incorporation, and now applying for registration as a charity and to obtain tax deductibility status which will help to start our first housing project within the next 12 months.
Our
Values
&
Commitment
Our
Values
&
Commitment
Dignity
Every woman deserves dignity and respect.
Community
We build homes, but we also build connection.
Equity
We prioritise those most affected by structural disadvantage.
Sustainability
Our housing solutions are environmentally and financially sustainable.
Transparency
We are accountable to our community, donors, and residents.
Empowerment
In a safe and stable home, women will regain control, confidence, and independence in their lives and hope for a sustainable future.
Dignity
Every woman deserves dignity and respect.
Community
We create homes, but we also create connection.
Equity
We prioritise those most affected by structural disadvantage.
Sustainability
Our housing solutions are environmentally and financially sustainable.
Transparency
We are accountable to our community, donors, and residents.
Empowerment
In a safe and stable home, women will regain control, confidence, and independence in their lives and hope for a sustainable future.
We are committed to:
creating homes that promote privacy, security, safety, and community.
adhering to sustainable design principles that reduce environmental impact and improve long-term affordability.
partnering with experienced community housing providers to manage funding, construction, and tenancy operations.
advocating for long-term solutions to housing insecurity among older women.
Every contribution helps us create a space she can call home
Contact Us to see how you can contribute to her journey
S.H.O.W. is an incorporated Association since August 2025 (ABN: 60613580106),
seeking to be registered as a Charity with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
and to obtain deductible gift recipient status.