News

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.

Queensland is the state with the highest proportion of its population who are over 55 and renting, according to analysis of the latest ABS Census data. Queensland is the state with the highest proportion of people older than 55 who are still renting – 13.1%, well ahead of second-placed New South Wales at 11.2%.

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

In August, HAAG and the Office of the Commissioner for Residential Tenancies co-hosted a roundtable for residential park residents. We wanted to bring residents from many different parks together to compare their experiences and see what is working and what isn’t for them, and what issues do they have in common.

Ageing on the Edge NSW, coordinated by Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) is setting up a Lived Experience Action Group (LEAG) in NSW. Are you an older person who has had difficulty paying the rent, or have experienced homelessness, and want things to change. Get in touch with us to join this new group. People from different backgrounds and places across New South Wales are encouraged to join and be part of the campaign.

The housing crisis for older people in Victoria is getting worse. Every day, HAAG’s Home at Last service is receiving calls for help from older people across the state facing eviction or struggling to pay rent. It is time to act. We are calling on the Victorian Government to urgently address the housing crisis facing older people.

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.
 

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