Want to see more affordable housing options for older people, better regulations and clearer rights for retirement housing residents? Come to our letter writing session and meet others with similar interests in our working groups. Tuesday the 9th of Jan@11am. HAAG offices.
HAAG has made a submission to the Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment to the The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement Bill. The bill presents the Australian government with an opportunity to develop a national housing policy that addresses increasing need for secure affordable housing.
This submission focuses on the need for the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement Bill to acknowledge the dire circumstances facing an increasing ageing population that is facing a future of housing hardship due to successive government policies that have focused on private rental subsidies in Commonwealth Rent Assistance rather than much needed capital expenditure on public and community housing. This has created a long-term need for investment in public and community housing but also urgently put in place specialist early intervention homelessness support services to assist the thousands of older people experiencing hardship and at risk of homelessness in the private rental market.
Consumer Action (CALC), RRVV, HAAG and COTA Vic have provided feedback about the proposed amendments to retirement villages fact sheets. The group do not oppose the proposed amendments to the fact sheets, but are concerned that this is not a good enough tool for protecting residents from entering into unfair contracts...
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) is seeking to increase awareness of online scams to Victorians aged 60-80. Research indicates that this group suffers the highest level of financial detriment due to scams. CAV are currently planning a scams campaign for 2018 and would like to get some insights into scams issues from some everyday Victorians...
Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), COTA Victoria and Housing for the Aged Action Group have made a joint submission in relation to the remake of the Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2008 (the Regulations). View the submission here
Federal Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon moved a motion calling on the government to raise real levels of funding for homelessness services and social housing, work with stakeholders to ensure the specific needs of older people are addressed in National Housing and Homelessness Agreement negotiations with states, and review the Commonwealth Assistance with Care and Housing Program to ensure it is meeting the needs of Australia’s ageing population. The motion passed the Senate with only the Liberal Party and One Nation opposing.
A new report from the Ageing on the Edge - Older Persons Homelessness Prevention Project shows many older Australians are increasingly at risk of becoming homeless and spending more than half their pension and savings on rent. Seniors advocates are warning it's the beginning of a community crisis in Australia. Report by Sarah Farnsworth - Lateline.
There has been a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector. Recommendations have been released, and we have met with 30 MP's to hear about what they will do to implement these recommendations. Still, there is much to be done...
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."