Hobart single mother Julia has lived in a state of uncertainty for more than 10 years after an abusive relationship put her and her son out of house and home.

Key points: Eight affordable units will be built for women facing homelessness aged 50 years and over

Eight affordable units will be built for women facing homelessness aged 50 years and over The building received planning approval last week

The building received planning approval last week One in five homeless people in Tasmania are aged 55 years or older

For years, the 54-year-old, who asked for her real name to be withheld, struggled to find a permanent roof over her and her child's heads - and lived on the brink of homelessness.

Julia said she experienced emotional control from her ex-partner.

"I couldn't stay at home anymore, so I was put out on a limb, without any support, with no home to go to," she said.

She is one of countless Tasmanian women who have faced homelessness as a result of domestic violence.

Homeless service Shelter Tas estimated nearly one in five homeless people in Tasmania were aged 55 or older, and the organisation is seeing a stark increase in the number of women in need of help.

But it is hoped a new development will help combat those figures by turning a disused Hobart building into eight affordable housing units for women aged over 50.

The building plans, which received Hobart City Council approval last week, will see the vacant space internally renovated to provide a private bedroom, bathroom and kitchen in each unit.

Works on the building, which will be managed by CatholicCare, are set to begin in two weeks, and are estimated to take about two months to complete.

CatholicCare has requested the location of the building not be disclosed for the safety of its future residents.

Julia said she was delighted to hear about the new housing.

"It's a surprise to me and when I heard the news I thought, 'oh my gosh, there is a lot of help out there for women of all different ages' which is just marvellous," she said.

"This will help with ladies being able to do it for themselves, get their pride back, and be given a whole new start to life."

A Catholic priest involved in the project — who cannot be named to keep the location of the housing confidential — said women in the over 50s age group were suffering "in great numbers".

"We believe this group of women and this use of the building will be totally compatible with the wonderful [neighbourhood] and their expectations," he said.

He said he hoped the new shelter would alleviate the stress for those caught in the state's mounting housing crisis.

"We're responding from our values base and as fellow Tasmanians to help those in a crisis situation," he said.

Crisis accommodation for older women 'crucial'

Chair of City Planning with Hobart City Council Helen Burnet said the application to transform the office space into a residential area "ticked all the boxes" and was approved without the need for community consultation.

"There's an overwhelming need [for] all types of accommodation in our community," she said.

"Short-term crisis accommodation for elderly women is crucial for those in need.

"This is one of a number of solutions that we require to answer the housing shortage, which we know is biting those most vulnerable in our community."

Executive officer of Shelter Tas, the state's peak body for housing and homelessness, Pattie Chugg welcomed the news and called on the community to get behind projects like these.

"With Tasmania's ageing population, this type of accommodation meets a critical need," she said.

"This shelter is a much needed facility for our community."