Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor on their election victory and return to government, and looks forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that older people have the housing they need.

HAAG welcomes the Prime Minister’s election night commitments to ensuring that ‘no-one is left behind’, and to ‘looking after older Australians’. One of the most effective foundations to achieve this will be to ensure that everyone has a secure home they can afford.

Distressingly, increasing numbers of older people are prevented from achieving this basic human need. They are at risk of homelessness, or are going without food, essential medications, heating and cooling, and healthcare just to keep a roof over their head.

Every day at HAAG we speak with older renters struggling to survive on low incomes, who are now faced with escalating rents, and people trying to pay off their mortgage into retirement. These numbers are only growing.

Despite housing’s high profile in the lead up to the election, the needs of older people were overlooked. HAAG wrote to major parties calling for them to support our proposals to fix the housing crisis faced by older people, but disappointingly we did not receive a response from Labor.

Our analysis of their available housing announcements found that these focused on incentives aimed at first homeowners, which most older people won’t qualify for, and will provide little help for older people.

To meet the housing needs of older people the returning government needs to build on the Housing Australia Future Fund, and invest in a significant increase in public and community housing – homes that are genuinely affordable and provide secure tenure. For those who are not eligible for social housing, there needs to be investment in low-cost retirement housing and shared equity schemes appropriate for older people.

Reforms to Australia’s housing system are also required to ensure that there are improved and consistent rental laws across the country; more investment in services to support older people access housing; and to implement a fairer tax system that recognises that everyone in Australia should have a home.

This must be a key priority for Labor as it sets the agenda for this next term of government, and with such a strong show of support, we urge them to be bold in acting to end homelessness for older people.

HAAG will continue to stand with our members and the community to advocate for solutions that ensure that older people have the secure, affordable and accessible homes they need.