The concern follows a report released last week predicting homelessness among single women aged over 35 will escalate in the next 20 years.

The Going it Alone report stated support services often turned women away because they were considered a low-risk group, even when living below the poverty line.

The report's author, Dr Andrea Sharam, said older women typically hadn't finished secondary school because it wasn't required in their day.

But she said with changes to the economy and job structures, women found themselves out of work, and retraining too expensive.

Wesley Mission Melbourne homelessness services manager Linda McKay said non-skilled women were struggling to survive on a basic wage. "Many women do not have adequate superannuation and are not within any profession so [are] on a very basic wage with no award rates.

"Women in this age group are finding the cost of rent quite prohibitive. If they want to consider a secure future, then we encourage them to study and gain a profession, but it is a catch-22.

"If they study to gain security, many struggle to make ends meet, but if they choose to rent over study, then they put their future at risk."

Ms McKay said incentives for single women, including subsidised rent and eduction programs, would make their choice easier

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Danica Harris