A joint initiative between the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will deliver more than 100 new social homes for seniors in south-west Sydney, most of them designated for women aged 55 and over. The development is a response to the rising homelessness risk faced by older women.
Under the Building Homes for NSW programme, two renewal projects—one in Rosemeadow, another in Airds-Bradbury—are supplying 45 new homes for seniors in Rosemeadow and 31 in Bradbury, with a further 31 in Airds due by the end of 2025. The Rosemeadow Estate Redevelopment has transformed a 1970s public housing estate into 230 new homes in a mixed-tenure community. The Airds-Bradbury Renewal Project covers more than 2,100 modern homes on a 200-hectare site, with at least 30 per cent of the homes dedicated to social housing.
The project is aimed squarely at older women because, as the Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson explained, they are “becoming the leading demographic of people most at risk of homelessness, whether it’s because of relationship breakdowns, the superannuation gap, or any number of other life challenges.” She said, “Most of them are experiencing first-time homelessness at age 60, 70 or even older – it comes as a big shock and many women don’t know where to turn. That’s why this type of housing is so important. Everyone deserves to age with dignity, safety and independence, and these new homes are making that possible for more people in Southwest Sydney.”
From the federal side, the Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, described the housing for seniors as “a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the Commonwealth and NSW Governments work together to deliver real outcomes for our community. The renewal projects in Rosemeadow and Airds-Bradbury are transforming our suburbs for the better, giving seniors the opportunity to stay close to family, friends and local services. This is exactly the kind of investment that builds a fairer, stronger future for Macarthur.”
On the ground, the Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, said: “Many of the new homes are going to women aged over 55, the fastest-growing group at risk of homelessness, and that’s exactly who we need to be supporting with secure, long-term housing. These are high-quality, modern homes close to shops and services, giving seniors in Southwest Sydney the security and comfort they deserve.”
Housing policy analysts note that older women are at heightened risk of housing insecurity. The Older Women’s Network NSW reports that women aged 55 and over are the fastest-growing group of homeless people in Australia, citing a 31 per cent increase in numbers over the past decade. Many of those women are experiencing homelessness for the first time, often triggered by events such as divorce, bereavement or financial shocks.
These developments form part of the broader Building Homes for NSW scheme, which aims to deliver 8,400 new public homes, 21,000 affordable and market homes, and upgrades to 30,000 existing social housing properties.
While the announcement reflects a concrete step forward, implementation will matter. Ensuring the homes are allocated effectively to those most at risk, located near services and transport, and designed to be accessible for older residents will be critical. Additional supports such as tailored outreach or financial counselling may still be needed, since older women often face complex and previously hidden housing crises.
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