A new Netflix documentary "Under Cover," narrated by Margot Robbie, is shining a spotlight on Australia's fastest-growing homeless demographic: women over 50. While the film reveals confronting stories of women facing housing insecurity, it also highlights an innovative private sector response through the work of Housing All Australians (HAA) and its corporate partners.
The documentary, supported by a coalition of compassionate capitalists including Housing All Australians, Better Living Group, ICD Property, Quest Apartments Hotels, Simonds Homes, APD Projects, Hangid Foundation, Nightingale Housing, CVA, Omnico, StreetSmart Australia and Rotary Australia, demonstrates the private sector's commitment to addressing this critical social issue.
"What we're seeing is a groundswell of support from the private sector," says Robert Pradolin, one of the founding members of Housing All Australians. "Major companies are stepping forward, contributing not only their expertise and resources to create immediate housing solutions for vulnerable Australians, but also helping to bring these important stories to light."
This "compassionate capitalism" approach involves repurposing vacant buildings that are awaiting redevelopment—spaces that might otherwise remain empty for years. Corporate partners contribute essential services.
The model showcased in "Under Cover" demonstrates how private sector innovation can create immediate impact. In one featured project, an empty building was transformed by Metricon, Quest Apartment Hotels, Dulux and Programmed into temporary accommodation, providing safe housing for women while connecting them with support services through nonprofit partners.
"These aren't just corporate social responsibility initiatives," Pradolin explains. "They represent a fundamental shift in how the private sector views its role in addressing Australia's housing crisis. We can't wait for government solutions alone."
The timing of the documentary's release on Netflix coincides with growing awareness of housing affordability challenges across Australia. Recent data indicates that women over 50 are particularly vulnerable, with many facing housing insecurity for the first time in their lives due to relationship breakdown, inadequate retirement savings, or job loss.
However, HAA's involvement in the documentary sends a powerful message: solutions are possible when business leaders embrace their role as "compassionate capitalists." The organization has identified thousands of similar buildings across Australia that could be repurposed for temporary housing, suggesting their model could be scaled significantly with broader private sector participation.
The documentary serves as both a wake-up call and a call to action for Australia's business community. While it exposes the human cost of our housing crisis, it also demonstrates how corporate Australia can make a meaningful difference through practical, immediate actions.
For many viewers, the most powerful aspect of HAA's segment in "Under Cover" is the hope it offers. While the documentary's personal stories highlight the devastating impact of housing insecurity, the private sector response shows that solutions are possible when businesses step forward to help their fellow Australians.
As "Under Cover" reaches a global audience through Netflix, it not only raises awareness of Australia's housing challenges but also showcases an innovative model for private sector engagement that could be replicated internationally.
