KJZZ Public Radio: More Women Growing Old Poor In Phoenix, Mirroring National Trend (April 17, 2019)

The rate of women 55 and older experiencing homelessness is on the rise in  Phoenix, Arizona. Shelters are serving more and more older women, following national trends. Justice in Aging’s Executive Director Kevin Prindiville states that “we’re seeing a very disturbing trend of individuals that lived middle-class lifestyles when they were working age, becoming poor for the first time when they’re older — and that’s a shift.” Contributing factors include a gender wage gap, domestic abuse, a “motherhood penalty,” and caretaking responsibilities. These factors are compounded by race, sexuality, and/or gender identity. Strengthening existing social programs like improving access to SNAP and expanding 401(k) participation to part-time employees would provide the support older women need to age in dignity.