The Conversation
For Australians to have the choice of growing older at home, here is what needs to change
The population of people aged 65 and over in Australia is projected to grow from 3.7 million to 8.7 million by 2056. Cities, towns and housing need to be designed to help people stay at home as they age.
Ageing in place isn’t just about ageing at home.
2018
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Councils' help with affordable housing shows how local government can make a difference
Tasmania is in the grip of a rental housing affordability crisis. What do local governments do to help?
Rural areas in particular lack rental options.
2018
Themes:
Life as an older renter
The New South Wales government has introduced a bill to reform the Residential Tenancies Act. This act sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in private rental accommodation in NSW.
It is getting harder for older renters to find adequate, appropriate and secure housing. Older women – the focus of my work – are at particular risk.
2018
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More and more Australians will be homeless unless we act now
One of the most pressing challenges older Australians face is finding secure accommodation with suitable amenities. And as the numbers of older Australians grow, the pressure to provide housing that meets their needs is increasing. We may be facing a crisis of ageing homelessness in coming years.
Older Australians face the same risks of falling into homelessness as everyone else.
2018
Life as an older renter and what it tells us about the urgent need for reform
It is getting harder for older renters to find adequate, appropriate and secure housing. Older women – the focus of my work – are at particular risk. This is due to longer life expectancy, lower incomes across the life course, and less access to benefits like superannuation.
2018
When falling home ownership and ageing baby boomers collide
Until now, the majority of older people in Australia have achieved the goal of owning their own home outright. Hence, policymakers have typically shown little concern about the size and budget costs of rental housing assistance programs for seniors.
2018
Themes:
A community fix for the affordable housing crisis
Australia has a pressing need for more social and affordable housing. More than half of all low-income tenants in the private market spend at least 30% of their disposable income on rent (and often much more than that).
The best way to reduce rental stress is to build up the community housing sector, even though it currently provides less than 1% of all Australian dwellings.
2018
Themes:
Homelessness: Australia's shameful story of policy complacency and failure continues
Exactly a decade ago in 2008, the Australian government committed to an ambitious strategy to halve national homelessness by 2020. Through stepped-up early intervention, better homelessness services and an expanded supply of affordable housing, the problem would be tackled with conviction.
2018
Themes:
Life as an older renter, and what it tells us about the urgent need for tenancy reform
Reform in the private rental sector is essential. Growing numbers of Australians rent their housing and increasing proportions are expected to rent long-term. This makes it essential that private rental housing meets the need that every person has for a secure and affordable home. It is getting harder for older renters to find adequate, appropriate and secure housing.
2018
Themes:
Vertical retirement villages are on the rise, and they’re high-tech too
For good quality of life as one ages, there must be optimal retirement options. The default is to stay in one’s current home for as long as possible, or downsize. Some will settle into the quiet life of a retirement village on the urban fringes.
2018
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"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."