Currently, the private rental sector does not provide security of tenure, affordability or accessibility for older low-income households. For renting in retirement to be as secure as home ownership, it requires proper regulation and legislative reform to enable older people to age in place, in the communities that they are familiar with and close to their social networks.
Sydney, June 18: Older people who are experiencing homelessness, couch surfing, and housing insecurity will continue to miss out on critical support that could prevent and end instances of homelessness, the latest NSW budget reveals.
At the latest gathering of the Ageing on Edge NSW Coalition we heard from Alex Greenwich MP, Minister Rose Jackson and Rental Commissioner Trina Jones. The campaign is building support for our key targets of creating a specialist housing support service for older people, lowering the priority age for priority housing access from 80 years, and building more Public and Community housing.
The NSW Ageing on the Edge Forum is a coalition of about 150 organisational supporters and members. The members of the Forum are advocates for change, including older people with lived experience of homelessness, service providers, peak advocacy bodies and private sector organisations, working together to address housing and homelessness related issues of older people.
Ageing on the Edge Coalition endorses the submissions and the recommendations of Shelter NSW and COTA NSW to this consultation paper.
The housing crisis is the worst in living memory. It is a humanitarian disaster. 750,000 people live in housing stress and are in desperate need of secure housing. What is on offer from federal and state governments is grossly inadequate and set to make the situation worse. Hear from a panel of activist researchers, unionists and housing activists from all over the country discuss how to achieve housing justice.
A business case outlining how a gap gap in housing services for older people can be filled by establishing a service providing specialist housing information and support.
Joint Statement by Tenants’ Union of NSW, Shelter NSW, and the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) along with Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG).
A fixed rental price must be advertised at the time a property is put up for rent. This advertised rate would act as a ceiling. Older people are already struggling to find affordable housing in an extremely competitive housing market. They are unlikely to be able to bid higher on properties on a limited income.
Seven New South Wales independent candidates and MPs are calling on the incoming state government to address homelessness among older people by introducing a specialist housing support service for older people, lowering the priority age from 80 years, and building more social and affordable housing.
What we really think about the NSW government
8 Feb 2023
This week HAAG headed to Sydney to talk about older people's housing issues ahead of the upcoming state election. On this episode, I talk to HAAG member Michelle about living in a caravan park and organising for housing justice, and Fiona York about new research on the lives and needs of older renters in NSW.
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."