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Mortgage stress and precarious home ownership: implications for older Australians
This research investigated the growing numbers of middle aged and older Australians who are carrying mortgage debt into retirement and paying off higher levels of debt relative to house values and income. Between 1987 and 2015, mortgage debt among older mortgagors increased by 600 per cent (from $27,000 to over $185,000).
2019
The Emerging Crisis of Aged Homelessness: Could Housing Solutions Be Funded by Avoidance of Excess Shelter, Hospital, and Nursing Home Costs?
This report summarizes a multi-site study in three localities – Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles County – of the anticipated future of the aged homeless population, its likely impacts on health and shelter systems and resulting costs, and the potential for housing solutions.
Specifically, this report summarizes the following analyses:
- Forecasts of the size of the aged homeless population
2019
Housing in an ageing Australia: Nest and nest egg?
This brief is in three parts. Part one tackles the dynamics of the housing purchase in working life, describing the patterns of housing tenure across generations, demographic and market dynamics, the likely future effects of demography on housing demand, and the policies that can affect home purchase outcomes, particularly taxes.
2019
Ageing with Choice Future directions for seniors housing 2019–2024
Like most developed countries, Australia has an ageing population. The number of people in WA aged 65 or over is projected to grow by 40 per cent to more than 500,000 by 2026.
Without access to suitable, affordable homes, more older people will struggle to balance housing and living costs or will be living in homes they cannot manage or maintain.
2019
Older Women's Housing - Pilot Program
In Australia, one of the most disadvantaged demographic profiles is to be ‘old, single, poor, female and in private rental accommodation’.
This paper, from the Women's Property Initiatives, looks at ways in which we can address the growing social inequality in this cohort.
2019
A 21st Century eco-almshouse: St. John’s Almshouses, Lichfield
The St. John’s Almshouse project comprises 18 new flats within two brand new, Passivhaus certified buildings set within an extensive landscaping scheme in the grounds of the existing Grade I listed Almshouses in Lichfield, UK.
The Almshouses provide sheltered accommodation, or more specifically, ‘independent living for older people, with neighbourly support and care’.
2019
Social Crises: housing, isolation and an ageing population
Taking the idea of intergenerational living more seriously could help ease some of the problems currently facing the young and old in the UK.
2019
Themes:
Preventing Homelessness: A Review of the International Evidence
This rapid review of the international evidence was designed to look for lessons in developing effective homelessness prevention from other countries.
The review found three essentials for effective homelessness prevention.
1. Prevention must be part of an integrated homelessness strategy.
2.
2019
Exploring the nexus of energy use, ageing, and health and well-being among older Australians
Researchers have argued that our understandings of energy efficiency should be re-defined to move beyond a concept singularly concerned with saving and cutting back on energy use, to one that acknowledges health, well-being and comfort. An ageing population has significant implications for energy policy, programs and advocacy in Australia.
2019
Themes:
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:


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