Security of tenure for the ageing population of Western Australia — does current housing legislation support seniors' ongoing housing needs?

The genesis of this research commenced several years ago as the impact of Western Australia’s ‘resources boom’ was becoming evident. Although that period augured in years of prosperity for some Western Australians, for many – especially those on lower and fixed incomes – the rising cost of living became problematic. In the case of housing the problem was particularly acute; housing and rental prices soared and many people who, for example, had rented in the private market for many years found themselves unable to afford to stay in their homes or meet rising rental costs. Even those Seniors who were desirous of moving to a smaller property faced difficulties regarding supply, location, price and amenity. As people age, housing security is of considerable importance and the downside of the changing economic circumstances was, in our view, falling disproportionately on older people.