“It was the worst time of our lives. It was absolutely devastating and it caused us so much stress.”

Diana grew up on a farm and enjoys growing her own food. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell

Like many women facing insecure housing in Australia, Diana is a family and domestic violence survivor. Bitter memories linger of those terrible years, when lack of housing wasn’t her only hardship.

“I don’t even know how we got through that. It is something that no-one should ever have to experience.”

Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, stated that 45 per cent of women and girls in Australia seeking homelessness support have encountered domestic and family violence. Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

Requests for housing support increasing

“Around 45 per cent are fleeing family and domestic violence. Others are squeezed out into homelessness by the rental crisis,” said Colvin.

“Even when we managed to secure a property, I suffered from PTSD and couldn’t work. My kids contributed what they could, but it was far from enough to meet the rent.”

Diana lives in a rented home in Victoria with her daughter Emma, 30. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell

“It is devastating and you feel so small, like you are not worthy of anything.

The federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund includes dedicated funding for 4,000 homes for older women at risk of homelessness.

“[Homelessness] just keeps getting worse and worse. Rents are increasing relentlessly. We also have record low vacancy rates,” Colvin said.

Global Sisters founder Mandy Richards. Source: SBS / SBS Sandra Fulloon

New housing initiative

“Many cannot access a mortgage, so they do not have a hope in hell of buying a house in a land package.”

One of the Little Green Houses designed for the pilot project. Source: Supplied / Wild Modular / Global Sisters

The project was developed in partnership with pre-fabricated housing company Wild Modular and the Regional Australia Bank, and has support from a major philanthropic foundation, and the Global Cities Foundation.

“By enabling women to attain economic security, we can minimize homelessness for certain women and children, preventing them from living in cars and couch surfing,” Richards noted.

The proposed interior of a Little Green House, designed for the pilot project. Source: Supplied / Wild Modular / Global Sisters

The Little Green Houses are modular and can be built quickly. Each house and land package is valued at around $350,000.

They are among candidates selected for a Little Green House.

‘Huge savings on bills’

“At the moment, electricity, gas and water keeps going up as everyone knows and it’s extremely hard to make ends meet.”

Diana runs a ceramics business from home, which supplements her income. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell

Diana now works part-time with Global Sisters and runs a small ceramics business from her rented home in regional Victoria.

“My daughter and I looked at 122 rentals and we were not accepted for any of them,” Diana said.

Emma, (left) with her mum Diana at home in regional Victoria. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell

“You feel desperate and begin to fear becoming homeless again. Yeah, it’s always on your mind. It looms over you,” she said.

“Ideally, Australia needs to completely reform the system. It is ineffective. There’s insufficient funding, and not enough hands-on assistance,” she commented.

Best hope for security

“I have worked so hard since I was 15 years old and every time I took one step up the ladder, I fell back down because of these health issues.”