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A critical discourse analysis of older women’s representation in housing and homelessness

Taylah Brown (Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)
Charlotte Smedley (Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia and School of Social Sciences, Art, Design and Architecture, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)
Jacqui Cameron (Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia and School of Social Work, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia)

Housing, Care and Support

ISSN: 1460-8790

Article publication date: 20 March 2024

Issue publication date: 16 April 2024

295

Abstract

Purpose

Despite a significant evidence base illustrating the issue of housing insecurity and homelessness experienced by women over the age of 55 in Australia [Pawson et al., 2018; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2021b; Mission Australia 2022; Per Capita 2022], there continues to be a knowledge gap in the representation of older women in current Federal and New South Wales (NSW) State Government housing and homelessness policies and initiatives. This paper aims to identify the extent and ways in which older women were represented (or not represented) in the Federal and NSW State housing and homelessness policies in 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

Of the total primary and supplementary Federal and NSW State policy and strategy documents, 16 were collected through a systematic review and then analysed using a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework and feminist lens to explore quotes, phrases, keywords and language choices which suggested prevalent themes, rhetorical devices and dominant discourses.

Findings

Three significant themes were identified by the analysis (1) “relinquished responsibility”, (2) “inconsistent rhetoric” and (3) “homogenising and ideological cherry picking”. These themes presented the authors with three main discussion points to inform policy reform which we have addressed in relation to policy implications, evidence-based policy decision-making and impacts on older women.

Originality/value

The combination of a systematic review with CDA provides a unique approach to exploring homelessness policy for older women.

Keywords

Citation

Brown, T., Smedley, C. and Cameron, J. (2024), "A critical discourse analysis of older women’s representation in housing and homelessness", Housing, Care and Support, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 49-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/HCS-05-2023-0009

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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