Housing for the Aged Action Group welcomes all members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex & Asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities to access our housing services, to participate in our organisation and our campaigns for housing justice, and to work with us. We strive to do so in an inclusive and respectful way and provide a welcoming and safe environment. HAAG does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, gender expression, intersex variation or sexual orientation.
Our LGBTQIA+ working group helps inform our organisations service delivery as well as promote our services in the community. As part of our commitment to LGBTQIA+ diversity and inclusion we recently achieved Rainbow Tick accreditation.
Latest LGBTQIA+ project updates
LGBTQIA+Reference Group submission to the Inquiry into Social Housing
Older LGBTQIA+ people face a higher risk ofhomelessness than other older Australians, and housing policy largely overlooks them. Social housing designed and governed with this community would reduce that risk. …Posted in: LGBTQIA+, Submissions, Community Housing, Public Housing
HAAG Drag bingo!
We had a lovely night out at Drag Bingo for Housing Justice, hosted by Miss Bobby Pin and our fabulous LGBTIQA+ reference group, promoting awareness of older people’s housing needs in the community and having a great time doing it – we received some lovely feedback from the players too! Thanks to DFFH for supporting this event through the Pride …
Midsumma Carnival 2026
Members of our LGBTIQA+ older people’s working group, staff and our sponsors from Liberty Finance volunteered at a HAAG stall as part of the Midsumma Carnival. This is our sixth year attending the event, and is a great opportunity for us to chat about housing options. We were excited to be sporting our new t-shirts – Housing for older LGBTIQA+ …
Older People’s Events at the Better Together Conference
HAAG members will present two sessions at the Better Together conference – Advocating for systemic changes in aged care services and recognizing the importance of older LGBTQIA+ issues & Intergenerational Housing Options for the LGBTIQA+ Community. …
Midsumma Carnival 2025
HAAG volunteers and staff attended Midsumma Carnival, sharing a stall with our friends at Switchboard. It was a great day out connecting with older people in the LGBTQIA+ community and introducing them to our LGBTQIA+ community reference group, an enthusiastic and friendly bunch of volunteers working hard to promote HAAG’s services and advocate for older LGBTQIA+ people at risk of …
In partnership with LGBTQIA+ organisations, the Older LGBTQIA+ housing project uses early intervention methods to improve the ability of older LGBTQIA+ people to navigate the housing and homelessness systems and avoid a housing crisis. Our program involves developing and delivering LGBTI+ appropriate community education material that is informed through consultation with older LGBTQIA+ people and delivered by LGBTQIA+ community leaders. The community education session and resources:
- Inform LGBTQIA+ elders of their housing options and paths to access a safe, affordable and long-term home.
- Highlight the warning signs that may lead to homelessness and give older LGBTQIA+ people practical tips on how to recognise these signs, well before a crisis.
- Prevent older LGBTQIA+ people from becoming homeless following an unexpected life event e.g. family breakdown.
- Link older LGBTQIA+ people into HAAG for support.
- Ensure early referrals of older LGBTQIA+ people at risk of homelessness, so they can avoid a crisis.
The LGBTQIA+ reference group brings together older representatives from the LGBTQIA+ community to identify and address barriers and issues relating to accessing housing and homelessness services and maintaining secure and affordable housing. The group aims improve the ability for older LGBTQIA+ people to navigate the housing and homelessness system and avoid a housing crisis. For further information email: claudia.burgner@oldertenants.org.au
This group is partially supported through funding from the Liberty Finance Pride Network.
Our LGBTQIA+ housing survey is now closed! You can read the results in our report.
The results of the original 2020 survey are available here.
This group is partially supported through funding from the Liberty Finance Pride Network.
The steering committee oversaw our original project included:
Tonye Segbedzi (Australian Association of Gerontology), Pauline Crameri (Val’s LGBTI ageing and aged care), Brenda Appleton (Transgender Victoria) , Ada Castle (Switchboard Victoria) Toby Bolton (Thorne Harbour Health), Fiona York (HAAG), Rebecca Walton (HAAG)
In addition to community education, our steering committee continues our joint advocacy to increase appropriate housing options and improve the system response to older LGBTQIA+ people across the homelessness and aged care sectors.
Below are some additional resources that LGBTQIA+ older people may find useful
VALS LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care
Victorian state-wide program working to improve healthy ageing pathways, care and visibility of older LGBTI people.
Q-Life (Switchboard Victoria)
Free, anonymous and confidential LGBTI phoneline and webchat Ring for a chat or to find referrals or more information.
Call 1800 184 527
Out and about program (Switchboard Victoria)
Statewide service providing regular catch ups for LGBTQIA+ people at risk of social isolation, eligibility: people accessing or waiting for a Home Care Package or living in residential aged care
Rainbow Door (Switchboard Victoria)
Free specialist LGBTQIA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTQIA+ Victorians, their friends and family
Call 1800 729 367
Thorne Harbour Health (THH)
Victoria’s leading LGBTI health service specialising in, HIV prevention, mental health, housing, family violence and drug and alcohol support
Call 1800 134 840
Housing Plus (THH)
A state-wide Victorian program that supports people living with HIV and the LGBTI community to seek and maintain safe, secure and affordable housing
Email housing@thorneharbour.org
Rainbow Connections (THH)
Peer connections for older LGBTI people
Transgender Victoria (TGV)
Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in
Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG)
Improving the experience of ageing through connecting research, policy and practice.
Senior’s Rights Victoria
Helpline-information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse
Call 1300 368 821
VincentCare
VincentCare is a rainbow tick specialist housing and homelessness service that supports people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing a housing crisis.
Call 03 9611 9200
Pride in Place
Pride in Place helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, asexual and queer people find housing. They support LGBTQIA+ folk who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in housing that is unsafe, insecure or too expensive.
Carers Victoria
Rainbow tick organisation representing and providing support to carers in Victoria.
Call 1800 514 845
Matrix Guild
An advocacy and support group for older lesbians who provide information on accommodation options and manage some social housing properties
Community Visitor Programs
List and links to the current CVS Auspices providing LGBTI specific services.
Alice’s Garage
A national project empowering LGBTI elders and promoting healthy LGBTI ageing in Australia
Silver Rainbow
National coordination and support activities promoting the well-being of LGBTI elders and the ongoing delivery of the LGBTI awareness training to the aged care sector
Drummond Street
A not for profit community service organisation with a range of services including counselling and support services for older LGBTI people