Lisa Malcher is one of the community engagement coordinators at Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the social welfare agency of the Diocese of Parramatta.
It’s been six months into her new role managing the programs and activities at Catholic Care’s Springwood and Orchard Hills community drop-in centres, but Lisa is already making her mark in the local community.
Thanks to a new partnership she’s facilitated between Catholic Care and the Older Women’s Network Blue Mountains, the Springwood community drop-in centre is now a place of hope for women aged 55 and over, who are sadly facing homelessness.
The Homes for Older Women (HOW) program is the brainchild of OWN Blue Mountains, and it aims to connect older women with compassionate homeowners who have a vacant granny flat, house, apartment, or bedroom for rent at an affordable price.
Since the HOW program launched in May last year, it has housed 40 older women in safe and secure accommodation. With the program recently launched in Springwood, Lisa has seen an uptick in the older women’s demographic who have been turning to Catholic Care’s drop-in centre with the hope of a better tomorrow.
I can see our Springwood centre becoming over time a safe haven for vulnerable women.” – Lisa Macher.
“I am thrilled that the HOW program has chosen to make Catholic Care Springwood its home,” Lisa said.
“The service they offer is vital in the Blue Mountains, as we have an older demographic and limited rental stock.
“Catholic Care’s wrap-around service model complements this program, and I can see our Springwood centre becoming over time a safe haven for vulnerable women.”
Head of Services Brooke McGilvray explained that the new partnership bolsters Catholic Care’s focus on supporting women’s housing – a key focus under its new three-year strategy.
“Our latest offering at Springwood through OWN Blue Mountains is yet another way we’re supporting women in today’s housing affordability crisis,” Brooke said.
She said the partnership complements Catholic Care’s existing programs, including its nationally accredited Houses to Homes, which provides transitional housing for young pregnant women and mothers, as well as its partnerships with local community housing providers to fast-track rental applications and improve access to suitable local housing.
Why it’s needed
In NSW, single women over the age of 55 are one of the fastest-growing groups seeking housing help due to domestic violence, separation, death of a spouse or partner, retirement or loss of employment, sudden illness or injury, and more. (Source: NSW Land and Housing Corporation)
Lu, a client of Homes for Older Women, is now living in an affordable flat in the Lower Blue Mountains. Image: Supplied
Meet Lu
Last year Lu was living in an “extremely stressful situation” while coping with severe chronic fatigue syndrome. She had battled the condition for eight years. The idea of finding rental accommodation in her 50s – alone and sick – was overwhelming.
Thanks to the HOW program, Lu now has an affordable granny flat in the lower Mountains.
“I feel like the help I received from HOW in finding a safe and secure environment has had a knock-on effect of improving not only my mental health but my fatigue which has lifted significantly,” Lu said.
Lu said her landlords live above the flat and describes their kindness as “humbling”.
“They look out for me and leave fresh garden produce at my door,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to regaining my health and my life and this has been the most significant and important start to that.”
A strong partnership
Chair of OWN Blue Mountains and HOW Bronwen Johnston said the partnership with Catholic Care at Springwood was an exciting development in the program’s relatively short but impactful journey to date.
“We are delighted HOW has a new home, allowing us to more easily support our homeseekers and tenants connect to services, activities and community,” Bronwen said.
HOW Program Manager Julie Nance said it felt like such a natural fit to be working within the drop-in centre, with like-minded staff and volunteers.
“Our main role is an accommodation connection service for older women but it is incredibly valuable to be able to offer our participants on-the-spot, wrap-around support,” Julie said.
“Counselling, technology support, the women’s circle, community garden or just a cuppa and a chat – the list of offerings is impressive and aligns so well with our goals.”
If you’re struggling in today’s housing market, you’re not alone. Please contact Catholic Care on 8843 2500 for a confidential chat today.
This article was originally published in the 2025 Lent & Easter | Autumn edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
