CULTURE

Unseen and Unheard: The Stories of Australia’s Older Homeless Women

Under Cover, Sue Thomson’s powerful documentary, delves into the urgent issue of homelessness among older women in Australia, focusing on the fastest-growing group affected—women over 50. By sharing the lives of an eclectic group of women across the country, the film highlights this devastating reality and calls for immediate action. Through powerful storytelling and in-depth research, Under Cover sheds light on the causes, challenges and potential solutions to this crisis, emphasising the importance of raising awareness and sparking national conversations to address this often overlooked issue.

"Homelessness is often seen as a man’s issue. What comes to mind is a man sleeping rough on a park bench. You don’t tend to think about someone's daughter, mother, grandmother. As new data emerges, 400,000 women over 50 have been identified as homeless or on the brink of homelessness. These women are all over the country [in Australia], they are all over the world. It is a crisis on our doorstep."

Quote from the documentary Under Cover by Sue Thomson

What led you to explore the topic of older homeless women in Australia?

In 2018 while finishing another film, I saw a program on SBS’s Insight. I listened as two older women were talking about working, raising children, getting divorced, using up their superannuation and savings and ultimately having no other option but to move into their cars. I realised that this could so easily be my story too. Despite having worked most of my life, I had taken time out to raise my children and had little or no super to speak of. If my relationship broke down I would not be able to afford rent or a mortgage. It takes two to three years to make the sort of films I make, so it's critical that I have some investment in the stories told to me and an understanding that the issue is hugely important - this emotion sustains me while making the film.

"You rarely see women sleeping on the streets, and that's because women don't feel safe on the streets at night. Without a home, women are extremely vulnerable. Everyone needs a place where they are protected from the elements, and are safe and secure."

Sue Thomson, Director Under Cover

Can you please tell us about the process of finding these women and getting them to open up and share their stories?

We partnered with many not for profit organisations and agencies working in the homelessness sector. The relationships we formed with HAAG, YWCA, NT Shelters, Women's Housing, Women’s Community Shelters and many more helped to connect us with women all around Australia. It was through these partnerships that our entire film crew were educated about respectful and safe communication with the participants in all of our meetings and get-togethers. I spent many months getting to know the women in the film, and if they trusted me they were happy to share their experiences. Also, as an older woman I could share my own story with them and we often found a lot of common ground.

Image from Under Cover

What challenges did you face in bringing the stories of these women to the screen, and how did you ensure their voices and experiences were authentically represented?

The women in Under Cover have lived experience of housing stress and homelessness. As documentary filmmakers we don't censor or influence our participants. It is their story to share in any way they choose. Meeting women who are struggling to find safe and secure housing was difficult. Locations were often car parks or driveways, so logistics of filming were difficult but the women themselves were incredibly generous and keen to share their story to 'stop this happening to other women' as many of them said.

Did you have any surprising or unexpected findings you discovered during your research and interviews for the documentary, particularly regarding the factors contributing to homelessness among older women?

You rarely see women sleeping on the streets and that's because women don't feel safe on the streets at night. Without a home women feel vulnerable. Everyone needs a place where they are protected from the elements, and are safe and secure.

How do you think societal attitudes towards older women and homelessness have changed, if at all, in recent years, and what were you hoping to achieve with this film?

These days I think people are more aware of older women becoming homeless than when we started making the film four years ago. We set out to raise awareness about the rates of homelessness amongst women over 50. We wanted to be part of a national conversation around homelessness in older women in Australia and help change the statistics. The film has been screened to university students, businesses, governments in parliament, not for profits, communities all around Australia. Each week we get requests to screen the film somewhere in Australia. Under Cover is a wonderful tool to share the struggles that older women face, and be part of the ongoing national conversations around homelessness and the solutions needed to change the status quo.

"Pop-up shelter is a short term solution. It is not a solution for housing long term because it's only temporary. But why not use buildings that are lying empty to house people that are really in housing stress."

Rob Pradolin, Housing All Australians - quote taken from the documentary Under Cover by Sue Thomson

Image from Under Cover

What steps, services, or policies do you believe state and federal governments should implement to reduce homelessness among women over 50?

Governments - both state and federal - need to build more social, public and affordable housing for all Australians.

Can you tell us a bit about your next project exploring aged care?

Our next film is about ageing in Australia and the aged care crisis. It follows the stories of older Australians considering going into care and the systems we have created to get them there. It is an urgent solutions-led documentary that aims to spotlight what we are doing right, what we could do better and charting an inspirational path forward for our rapidly ageing population.
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Sue Thomson is an award-winning filmmaker who is deeply passionate about human rights and equality. Based in Melbourne, her film and television work includes writing, producing, and directing. In 2022 Sue wrote, produced and directed Under Cover narrated by Margot Robbie and currently available on ABC iview.