Article

The hidden housing problem: older and still renting

Increasing numbers of people in their 50s and 60s are renting. In Australia, we’re not meant to be renters in retirement. Our age pension system is built on the assumption we’ll own our homes outright. That’s why our age pension is low relative to other countries’ – because housing costs in older age are assumed to be low, too.

Adele Horin

2014

Themes:

Ageing Population, Housing Affordability, Rental Stress, Older Women, Single people & housing stress

How does homelessness affect senior women?

In 2013, the OECD reported that Canada has a low old-age poverty rate compared to other OECD countries—7.2%—but it is rising while other countries’ are decreasing.

Emma Woolley

2014

Themes:

Older Women, Poverty & homelessness, Policy, Pathways into homelessness, Affordable Housing

Sustainability in aged care

Thinking about sustainability across whole systems rather than in individual areas can create multiple benefits with limited resources.

Australian Ageing Agenda

2014

Themes:

Environmental Sustainability, Aged Care, Health

Older women fall victim to crisis in homelessness

Looking at the rise in Australian women 55+ who are experiencing housing stress.

Julia May

2014

Themes:

Older Women, Housing Affordability, Rental Stress, Poverty & homelessness

Developing Adaptable Housing for the Elderly, Also a Path to Sustainability

This article looks at why we must think about architecture and urban planning in terms of adaptability for the aging.

Irina Vinnitskaya

2013

Themes:

Ageing Population, Urban Planning, Ageing-in-Place, Age Specific Housing

Affordable housing is a problem for older Australians, too

Seniors are often overlooked in discussions of housing affordability. This may be because there is a perception that they have bought, and paid off, their homes. However, housing availability and affordability present significant difficulties for many older people. Contrary to popular belief, many older people are not home owners or choose (or can afford) to live in retirement villages.

Eileen Webb

2013

Themes:

Housing Affordability, Policy, Older Men, Older Women, Future housing solutions

Municipal Project for Intergenerational Housing and Community Services in Alicante

Initiated in 2003 by the Municipal Housing Board of Alicante, the Municipal Project for Intergenerational Housing and Community Services works to address the specific housing needs of low-income older persons and young people through the provision of 244 affordable, intergenerational housing units in central urban areas. The Spanish project not only provides decent, accessible housing but also wo

World Habitat

2013

Themes:

Ageing Population, Age Specific Housing, Co-housing, Community, Policy, Future housing solutions

Looking After China’s Elderly

As China’s rapid economic development continues, demographics shift, and social needs change, the country will face new challenges, not least of which is looking after its growing elderly population. While a variety of care facilities have cropped up to care for China’s seniors, few have been widely successful in capturing the market.

Helen Chen, Ken Chen

2013

Themes:

Ageing Population, Aged Care, Age Specific Housing, Policy

House Sharing for Boomer Women Who Would Rather Not Live Alone

In the US increasingly, female boomers and older women — both bosom buddies and strangers — are moving in together as a way to save money and form a community. Conditions are ripe to make home sharing an option for many women. Four million women age 50-plus live in U.S. households.

Sally Abrahms

2013

Themes:

Co-housing, Older Women, Future housing solutions