HAAG is an organisation supporting older people who are directly experiencing the real-world effects of Australia’s housing affordability crisis. We reject and condemn attempts to blame this crisis on migrants and migration.

Every day we hear from older people who are struggling to pay the rent, buy food and medication, living in unsafe conditions, or homeless, often while unwell with many health conditions made worse by a lack of housing they can afford. Rents are going up, and it’s tough for people on low incomes who don’t own their own homes, unfamiliar with services and supports available and have limited language skills or skills to navigate online systems. This housing crisis affects older people from all backgrounds.

We know that Victoria still has the lowest proportion of public and community housing in Australia, after many decades of neglect by successive Governments. We know that our housing system is geared toward investment, instead of housing as a human right, with the wealthiest few benefiting from soaring house prices.

We are disturbed and upset to see migrants being scapegoated for the housing crisis that’s a result of decades of government inaction. False claims are being used to divide our community and distract us from the real causes of the housing issue.

Australia has more homes per person than ever before. The problem isn’t a lack of houses - it’s that homes are being treated as an investment, not places for people to live. We need tax reform so that housing is treated as a home, not as a way for people to make lots of money. We need public housing. We need stronger renting laws to protect older renters.

We must remember that our diversity is our strength, and we are stronger together. Racism damages our community, our organising, and our ability to fight for more housing for all, whether you were born in Australia or born overseas.

HAAG is an organisation that for forty years has been guided by the values of inclusiveness, respect, solidarity and equity. Our vision is for a society where all older people have secure, safe and affordable housing.

Our values and vision mean that we welcome people from all backgrounds. We are proud that 60% of our clients come from a culturally diverse background, originating from over 20 countries from all over the world. Our workers who assist older people to find housing are also from culturally diverse backgrounds, with over half speaking languages other than English.

Our diversity is our strength and reflects that we are part of a diverse country of people who call Australia home. We stand with our migrant workers, members and clients in the struggle for housing justice. We invite everyone who cares about housing and supports our values of inclusiveness, respect, solidarity and equity to join us in the fight for a better future, where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.