News

Older tenants big winners in rental law shake-up

Housing for the Aged Action Group, a Victorian organisation working to improve conditions for older renters, welcomed news of major changes to the state’s rental laws over the weekend. The Andrews Government will ban no-reason notices to vacate, allow tenants to keep pets, and introduce a Residential Tenancies Commissioner to make it easier to resolve minor disputes.

Do you want to be on our Committee of Management?

HAAG's next Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 16th November 2017. Here we will present our 2016-2017 Annual report and elect our new Committee of Managment. A light lunch will be provided so if you'd like to come along please register your attendance for catering by calling us on 03 9654 7389 or by emailing haag@oldertenants.org.au

More information and forms here

Finding a Suitable Home for Older People at Risk of Homelessness in South Australia

A report released today based on the latest 2016 Census is showing a rapidly rising number of older people at risk of homelessness in South Australia. This research, a partnership between Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) and The University of Adelaide’s Centre for Housing Urban and Regional Planning (CHURP) and funded by The Wicking Trust, has found that a significant number of older people in the private rental market in South Australia are living in housing poverty. 
Read the Summary Report Read the Full Report

Response to Retirement Housing Inquiry fails to provide access to justice

After six months of waiting, the Victorian Government has responded to the Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector, conducted by the Victorian Legislative Council.

The Victorian Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry has failed to deliver, according to retirement housing residents and advocates. Despite nearly 800 submissions to the Inquiry and recommendations that promised meaningful reform, the pleas of residents have fallen on deaf ears, with many of the proposed reforms pushed off into the long grass of more reviews.

NSW Ageing on the Edge Reference Group Meeting

The NSW Ageing on the Edge Reference Group met Thursday 24th August at the NSW Federation of Housing Associations. About 15 key agencies attended the meeting covering the spectrum from housing, homelessness, aged care, seniors rights, elder abuse, seniors issues and many other perspectives.

Older women and homelessness

Women over 65 are one of the fastest growing groups of people experiencing homlessness. A recent episode of SBS insight (Women on the Edge 22nd August 2017) covered this issue and explored the experiences of women struggling to secure a home of thier own. Among these women was Doris Perkins, a client of HAAGs Home At Last service.

Watch the episode here

 

 

 

Retirement Housing In Victoria Communique

"On 8 June 2017, 24 representatives from resident advocacy groups, universities, industry, ombudsman schemes, government agencies and regulators met in Melbourne at an Experts’ Forum to discuss the future of retirement housing regulation in Victoria. We were also joined by academics and advocates from interstate jurisdictions.

The Experts’ Forum followed the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the retirement housing sector, which released its final report on 7 March 2017. The Inquiry received 766 submissions and heard from 90 witnesses. The vast majority of evidence was received from residents.

The message to the Inquiry was clear: residents expect change. While many residents generally enjoy life in their choice of retirement housing, many are also frustrated by a system they see as geared in favour of operators. Some feel that instead of prioritising residents, operators are more concerned about satisfying shareholders.

Residents gave evidence to the Inquiry about what they see as unjustifiable exit fees, complex contracts and poor dispute resolution."

See the full report here

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