Housing Boomers: A report on housing issues facing South Australia’s older population

Shelter SA is the peak body for housing in South Australia advocating for safe, secure and affordable housing for all citizens. Shelter SA advocates for and communicates with a wide range of housing organisations and consumer groups. One of the largest groups of housing consumers, and one that is set to increase rapidly in coming years, is the older population. Older people can face unique and significant barriers to finding a safe, secure home. Australians are living longer than ever before. Over the next four decades, the number of Australians aged 65 and over is projected to double. Appropriate housing is crucial for people to remain healthy and stay eng aged in the community as they age. This report addresses housing for older people on two primary levels; housing stress and homelessness. The report also addresses specific issues such as personal, structural, gender and cultural factors that affect older people and their housing. The report finds that without systemic intervention by all levels of government, housing stress and homelessness for many older South Australians will be inevitable and reach crisis levels.