Publications

Retirement bill a step in right direction, but more needs to be done to protect residents

Housing for the Aged Action Group calls the government’s Retirement Villages Act Amendments Bill, released today after a five-year consultation period, a “mixed bag” that includes important improvements for residents but leaves some major areas of concern inadequately addressed.

Not poor enough, not rich enough: new research highlights older Australians falling through the cracks of housing crisis

More than half a million Australians aged 55 or over are at risk of falling through the cracks, according to a new Swinburne report launched today, that shows they are neither poor enough to qualify for effective and accessible housing assistance nor wealthy enough to secure housing independently as they age.

World Homeless Day plea – VPTA and HAAG push for bold public housing commitment

This World Homeless Day, the Victorian Public Tenants Association (VPTA) is calling on the state government to urgently address the social housing crisis by committing to the delivery of at least 60,000 new social housing homes, a strong proportion of which must be public housing homes, over the next decade.

Statement on appropriate regulation of Retirement Villages

A series of stories published by the ABC this week highlighted unfair fees, confusing contracts and poor treatment of residents living in retirement villages. Government must act now to protect retirement village residents from exploitation and eviction.

Older people’s housing forum at Victorian parliament

Improving housing options and preventing homelessness for a growing number of older people at risk of or experiencing homelessness as they age will be discussed today when Ministers, housing experts and people with lived experience of the housing crisis come together at Victorian parliament.

Support for older people in rental stress welcome in Victorian Budget

Housing for the Aged Action Group will be able to support more older people struggling with high rents thanks to a new $7.8 million funding initiative included in the latest Victorian Budget!
 

Victoria’s Housing Statement fails older Victorians in housing insecurity

The Victorian Government’s Housing Statement fails to take the steps necessary to address the housing crisis facing more than 180,000 older Victorians and contains too little investment in public housing, according to Housing for the Aged Action Group.

Victorian Budget includes important support for older people in housing crisis, but lacks crucial ingredient: more social housing

The Victorian Government’s efforts to address homelessness among older people, particularly women, are welcome, but more needs to be done.

JobSeeker is inadequate regardless of a recipients age, it should be raised for all

The rate of JobSeeker needs to be increased for all recipients, not just some. While we welcome the Federal Government’s acknowledgement of the ageism that places additional pressure on older workers, leaving under 55s languishing well below the poverty line is not the way forward.

Independents call on the next NSW Government to urgently address homelessness among older people

Seven New South Wales independent candidates and MPs are calling on the incoming state government to address homelessness among older people by introducing a specialist housing support service for older people, lowering the priority age from 80 years, and building more social and affordable housing.

 

Census analysis reveals enormous increase in the number of older Queenslanders living in private rentals

The number of people older than 55 living in private rentals in Queensland increased by 71% over the past decade, according to new analysis of the 2021 Census released today.
 

New South Wales Government’s response to homelessness inquiry will leave older people languishing without homes

Older people in New South Wales waiting for social housing were dealt a blow today, with the NSW Government failing to support a recommendation by one of its own inquires that the priority age for social housing be lowered.

New census data shows housing crisis getting worse for older people

More Victorians than ever before are approaching and entering retirement without owning their home, according to analysis of the 2021 Census commissioned by Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) and undertaken by researchers at Swinburne University of Technology, Western Sydney University and Curtin University.

One million affordable homes, but will any be accessible to older people?

It’s hard to see how the Federal Government’s plan to address Australia’s housing crisis, including its new accord with the states and territories, will help older people without a home.

New Parliamentary Inquiry report provides a foundation for addressing homelessness among older people in New South Wales - now the Government must act

The lives of older people experiencing homelessness, particularly older women, will improve markedly if the New South Wales Government moves to implement the recommendations handed down today by the Social Issues Committee inquiry into homelessness amongst older people aged over 55

Why the Federal Government must include older people in its National Housing and Homelessness Plan

The new Federal Government has committed to developing a National Housing and Homelessness Plan with the support and assistance of key stakeholders, including States and Territories, local government, not-for-profit and social organisations, industry bodies, superannuation funds and other experts in housing, finance and urban development. HAAG is  calling for ambitious targets along with genuine consultation of older people with lived experience of housing stress and homelessness.
 

New South Wales “women’s budget” does nothing for older women

Many older women struggling to stay housed in New South Wales will miss out on a key measure in the budget intended to support them, because they don’t have the savings to access it

Incoming Labor government, and the new wave of independents, must ensure housing policy doesn’t forget older people

As a new Labor government begins, and it gets to work on a new sizeable investment in social housing, it must ensure its housing policy is inclusive of older people, especially older women

Eight in 10 Australians believe social and affordable housing is an important election issue

The overwhelming majority of Australians will have social and affordable housing top of mind when they cast their vote at the upcoming federal election, new polling from HAAG shows.

Older renters being left behind by the coalition

Older renters will be best served by policies brought to the election by the Labor Party and the Greens, according to an analysis of housing policy by HAAG.

Pages