Australia

Housing Locally: A report on the Local Government and Housing Linkage Project national survey
This report presents the outcomes of an online survey of local governments across Australia into their attitudes, programs, policies and actions with respect to housing. The survey was undertaken as part of a three-year Australian Research Council Linkage project, in which a number of local governments and their representatives are active participants.
Andrew Beer, Alan Morris, Sandy Horne, Chris Paris, John Martin, Trevor Budge
2018
Themes:
Housing in General

Presentations from The National Homelessness Conference, Melbourne 2018
The 2018 National Homelessness Conference, presenting the theme ‘Ending homelessness together’, delivered a wealth of evidence and information on ways to understand, reduce and alleviate homelessness. Over 800 delegates and more than 80 speakers participated across two very full days, exploring the underlying drivers of homelessness and the differing strategies on how best to overcome it.
Celia Adams, Sherri Bruinhout, Paula Coghill, Kate Colvin, Debbie Faulkner, Jeff Fiedler, Andrew Hollows, Sally Langton, Penny Leemhuis, Jeanette Large, Olav Nielsenn, Kate Paterson, Nicholas Pleace
2018
Themes:
Crisis Housing, Gender, Older Women, Indigenous Housing, Private Rental, Older Men, Ageing-in-Place, Rough Sleeping, Housing First, Future housing solutions

The Adequacy of the Age Pension in Australia: An assessment of pensioner living standards
This Australian report examines the adequacy of the Age Pension both qualitatively, through focus groups and town meetings, and quantitatively, through analysis of social survey data. Methodology included quantitative analysis provided by the HILDA (Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia) survey which included 9,000 households and 25,000 individuals.
Warwick Smith, David Hetherington
2018
Themes:
Aged Pension, Policy

Housing an Ageing Australia: The Ideal of Security of Tenure and the Undermining Effect of Elder Abuse
This article considers the degree of legal security of tenure and ontological security in various forms of accommodation utilised by older people. In so doing, the article examines how elder abuse can dilute legal and ontological security and makes suggestions as to how existing real property laws could be utilised and amended to safeguard housing security for older people
Eileen Webb
2018
Themes:
Private Rental, Policy, Ageing Population, Elder Abuse

The rising population of older, homeless women
Older women are often the forgotten face of homelessness. Stereotypes dominate the average view of what a homeless person looks like, but at a time when the number of older women couch-surfing has doubled in just four years, times are changing. In Australia in 2016, 1618 women over the age of 50 who presented at homelessness services were couch-surfing – an 83 per cent increase over four years.
Michelle Wisbey
2018
Themes:
Housing Affordability, Older Women, Single people & housing stress, Policy

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:
Age Specific Housing, Policy, Social Housing

Homeless increase no surprise; homelessness is not a Federal priority
2016 Census shows 13.7% increase in homelessness; 2-in-5 homeless under 25; spike in older people homeless; rough sleeping & severe overcrowding. Amongst the trends, Homelessness Australia is concerned about:  27.7% increase in homelessness among people aged 55+  39% of the homeless population is under 25 years of age  Women’s homelessness rose faster than population  8,200 Australians ro
Homelessness Australia
2018
Themes:
Ageing Population, Older Women, Indigenous Homelessness

Demoralising and humiliating: More older Australians falling into homelessness
The number of Australia's private renters aged 65+ who are in housing stress, defined as paying more than 30% on rent, has jumped by 42% in the last five years.
Alison Worrall
2018
Themes:
Rental Stress, Public Housing, Ageing-in-Place

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.
Hal Pawson, Cameron Parsell
2018
Themes:
Policy, Rental Stress

Older Australia at a glance
Homelessness is a growing problem for older Australians, and will likely continue to increase over time due to an ageing population and declining rates of home ownership among older people. Over the last decade, the number of older homeless people increased by 49%, with the largest changes measured in people aged 65–74 and 55–64.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
2018
Themes:
Policy, Ageing Population, Definition of 'at risk of homelessness', Health, Older Men, Older Women, Indigenous Homelessness

Return to the Library

Subscribe to RSS - Australia