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Is Housing of Importance to Mental Health?
Poor housing quality is often associated with poor physical health such as respiratory illness from dampness, but the impact of housing on mental health should not be underestimated. Under the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, housing would fall under the bottom 2 tiers as in Figure 1, as a place to fulfil basic needs of warmth, rest, security and safety.
2016
Themes:
A Home for Life? A Critical Perspective on Housing Choice for “Downsizers” in the UK
A range of policy, research and media commentary has highlighted the link between housing, health, and wellbeing in later life, with discourses around “ageing in place” and “downsizing” emerging as particularly dominant.
This paper critiques current practices and discourses around the
commissioning, design, and management of purpose-built retirement housing.
2016
Themes:
Seniors downsizing on their own terms: Overcoming planning, legal and policy impediments to the creation of alternative retirement communities
It seems there are as many reasons for seniors making downsizing decisions as there are individual seniors. Some common themes have emerged however. First, despite the tacit encouragement of downsizing in Australia and elsewhere, most seniors resist moving in order to downsize.
2015
Chinese Demographics and Aging, Health, and Place
China faces the need for major reforms in healthcare capacity, coverage, affordability and access for rural populations, migrant workers, and an increasingly aging population.
There is a need for more diversity in housing types, increased public infrastructure, and innovative social welfare programs for the rapidly growing aged population, who may no longer be able to depend on children or govern
2015
Themes:
Housing Older Australians: Loss of home ownership and pathways into housing assistance
In Australia and other ‘homeownership societies’ it has been conventional to think of housing pathways in terms of a smooth linear progression, leading to outright ownership in middle age and a retirement buffered by low housing costs. This vision of the welfare role of home ownership is an important buttress of Australian retirement incomes policy.
2015
Seniors in Spain are saying no to nursing homes
Examining the rise of co-housing and elderly housing co-operatives in Spain as alternatives to aged care facilities.
2015
Designing Multigenerational Dwelling A Workshop with Four Flemish Architecture Firms
Due to social shifts, demographic changes and spatial challenges, housing is at the top of the social agenda in Flanders. Recently, communal housing concepts are being put forward to strive against these general developments.
This paper presents research on multigenerational dwelling.
2015
Themes:
Housing Decisions of Older Australians
The growing longevity and ageing of Australia’s population, as well as other structural and demographic changes, elevate the policy imperative to understand what drives the housing decisions of older people and the consequences for their wellbeing. This study aims to explore the drivers of those decisions, as well as some of the barriers to better outcomes.
2015
Themes:
Suitable, affordable housing is key to our population ageing well
If Australian seniors are to remain healthy and work longer, the importance of appropriate housing cannot be underestimated. Much attention is being paid to the rising cost of health care for an ageing population.
2015
A Home of One's Own: Shared Equity Housing for Older Single Women
This project was established to research and develop a shared equity model of home
ownership, specifically geared to the needs of lower income women over the age of
55 years.
2015


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