A new refuge dedicated to housing women aged over 50 has opened in Melbourne.
The facility in the suburb of Box Hill, called The Gardenhouse, offers emergency accommodation for the growing number of older Australian women who are ending up homeless with a temporary safe haven.
Vanessa was 60 when she found herself homeless.
After a marriage break-up, she travelled overseas to help look after a sick family member - but when she returned she was unable to find work.
“I came back here thinking I ll get a job, I m still young, in good shape , but there was no jobs, no work and I had nowhere to go,” the now 67-year-old told SBS News.