Search the Library
Fall in ageing Australians’ home-ownership rates looms
According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income and Housing, home-ownership rates among Australians aged 55-64 years dropped from 86% to 81% between 2001 and 2016.
Mortgage burdens have spiked in the 55-64 age group. In 2001 roughly 80% were mortgage-free. By 2016 this had plummeted to only 56%.
Indebtedness is even growing among owners aged 65 and over.
2019
Rental Housing for an Ageing Population
In our latest Inquiry, we have turned our attention to rental housing for older people, both now and in the decades to come. We wanted to find out how many homes for rent are likely to be needed over the next 20 years or so, what they should be like and who might provide them.
Today only 22% of those over 65 are tenants (private or social). But this will change.
2019
Themes:
Women over 55 are Australia's fastest growing group of homeless
An introduction service for flatmates, converting family homes into partly self-contained apartments and building community-funded homeless shelters are among new attempts to help older Australian women find secure housing.
Women over 55 are the fastest growing group of homeless people in Australia, though men and younger people are much more likely to be homeless, 2016 census data shows.
2019
The Seniors Housing Gateway - A safety net for older people at risk of homelessness
Australia needs to urgently address the rapidly increasing problem facing large numbers of older people, the majority women, at risk of homelessness.
2019
Themes:
Design for an Ageing Population
The demographic landscape of our cities is changing fast, as the cities grow and the population ages. But how do architects respond to the challenge? How do we go about creating more ‘age-inclusive’ spaces?
2019
Age in Place: Home Improvements Room by Room guide
A resource for individuals/households considering aging in place (and what home modifications go along with this decision) vs moving to a different home or retirement community.
2019
Themes:
Older Australians and the housing aspirations gap
This report examined the housing aspirations of older Australians, defined as households over the age of 55. Within this research, housing aspirations were explored through the AHA survey, where respondents selected their ideal location, number of bedrooms, dwelling type and tenure.
2019
The Renters Journey
Report following the rental experiences of four key groups of renters: women aged 55 and over, low income families, newly arrived migrants and young renters. Journey mapping with four key groups of renters, exploring common and unique experiences and pain points.
2019
Themes:
Supporting older lower income tenants in the private rental sector
Retired lower income households living in the private rental sector face rent increases and insecure tenure while being on low fixed incomes. They also live in housing that may not be physically suitable for them and may require alterations to make the premises liveable.
The policy options presented here focus on assisting older lower income tenants.
2019
Themes:
Home truths: Housing options and advice for people in later life: Learning from communities in Leeds
This report demonstrates the need for understanding the local context and speaking to local communities when developing information and advice services.
More than 90% of older people live in mainstream housing and intend to stay there. Yet, Britain has the oldest housing stock in Europe.
2019


"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."