Submissions
HAAG makes submissions to local, state and federal Governments, sharing the voices and lived experience of our members and advocating for progress towards safe, secure and affordable housing for older people.
Inquiry into the Rental and Housing Affordability Crisis in Victoria
HAAG welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Inquiry into the Rental and Housing Affordability Crisis in Victoria. This submission is based on our experience delivering housing and related support services to older people, research and lived experiences of older people experiencing housing stress or homelessness in Australia. We especially acknowledge the contributions to this submission made by members of HAAG’s advisory groups including Retirement Accommodation Action Group (RAAG), LGBTQIA+ reference group and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) reference group. Read the submission …Posted in: Tenancy
Submission to the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rental Fairness) Bill 2023
A fixed rental price must be advertised at the time a property is put up for rent. This advertised rate would act as a ceiling. Older people are already struggling to find affordable housing in an extremely competitive housing market. They are unlikely to be able to bid higher on properties on a limited income. Read our submission …Posted in: Renter's rights, Campaigns, New South Wales
National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality
HAAG welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality. This submission is based on our experience delivering housing and related support services to older women, research and lived experiences of older women experiencing housing stress or homelessness in Australia. We especially acknowledge the contributions to this submission made by members of HAAG’s advisory groups including National Alliance for Seniors Housing (NASH), Retirement Accommodation Action Group (RAAG), LGBTQIA+ reference group, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) reference group and NSW Lived Experience Advocacy Group (LEAG). Read the Submission …Posted in: Campaigns
Submissions to The extent and nature of poverty in Australia Inquiry
HAAG recommends to increase social housing stock, income support, engagement with communities affected by poverty, to address systemic gender inequality, develop a national agenda for older people and a implement a nationally consistent construction code to make housing accessible and adaptable to climate change. Read the submission …Posted in: Campaigns
Submission to Draft Inspector General of Aged Care Bill
There is ample evidence to demonstrate that the Aged Care service systems are not adequately meeting the needs of older people, especially those retiring into poverty, or experiencing housing or homelessness issues. Considering this, there is a clear need to ensure the rights of those who are experiencing additional challenges or are likely to experience disadvantage should be core part of a new Inspector-General’s role. Read the submission …Posted in: Campaigns
Comment on the Exposure Draft of proposed amendments to the Retirement Villages Act
The draft of proposed amendments to the Retirement Villages Act bill fails to address many concerns raised by and on behalf of residents, in particular around management standards and fairer fees. The bill allows the most exploitative and predatory operators to continue to operate according to ‘churn’ business models where they are incentivised to maintain high turnover rates by systematically pressuring residents to leave once their exit fees reach their maximum value. The bill abandons the concept of a rights-based framework in favour of vague unenforceable ‘principles’. Overall, the bill simply fails to address serious public concerns about exploitative business …Posted in: Retirement Housing Advice Service
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.
…Posted in: Media Releases, Campaigns
Housing Older Women Movement’s responses to the Review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
Submissions to the Review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement that reflect the actual experiences and words of women who live with housing stress, insecurity and homelessness as part of the Housing Older Womens Movement Read the Submission here …Posted in: Campaigns, Queensland
Submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness
The Ageing on the Edge NSW Forum is calling on the NSW government to: Fund a specialist older person’s housing information and support service that comprises both an early intervention and crisis response, similar to the HAAG Home at Last model in Victoria. Lower the priority age for social housing eligibility from 80 years as a matter of urgency. Build 5,000 social and affordable homes per year for 10 years, at least 20% of which should be dedicated to older people. Read our submission to the parliamentary inquiry here …Posted in: Campaigns, New South Wales
Review of National Housing and Homelessness Agreement – 2022
Australia’s housing system is failing people experiencing disadvantage, particularly older people who are falling through the cracks. The existing policy frameworks are inadequately equipped to support people at risk of homelessness and there is a clear need for national leadership through a National Housing Strategy to develop and deliver sustainable solutions that are properly resourced. Read the submission …Posted in: Campaigns
Draft National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 Submission
HAAG and Older Womens Network NSW’s input into the Draft National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. We provide recommendations to adress domestic violence, elder abuse and homelessness amongst older women. This submission is endorsed by Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW). Read the Submission …Posted in: Campaigns
Submission to Victorian Social Housing Regulation Review: Interim Report
HAAG supports an explicit objective in the regulatory system to protect and safeguard the interests of current, prospective and future tenants. We note that there is tension between the practical application of putting “tenants in the centre” in the broader context of a housing policy direction focussed on transfer of stock and redevelopment of public housing. While this independent review of social housing regulation is occurring, Homes Victoria is simultaneously relocating existing public housing tenants from their homes under the public housing renewal program. Those tenants are not “at the centre” of this decision, and the practical aim of applying …