The Government has recently responded to the 2016 Access to Justice Review, prepared by the Department of Justice and Regulation.
HAAG made a submission to this review, which included six background papers and related terms of reference. HAAG's submission can be found here.
The Government has accepted or accepted in-part 57 of the recommendations with some being referred to the courts, and the remaining three recommendations are under further consideration.
Ageing on the Edge – National Action Project is underway in New South Wales, with key groups coming together to plan for action. A Reference Group Meeting was held on the 18th of May the NSW Federation of Housing Associations and was attended by representatives of Homelessness NSW, The Mercy Foundation, Aged Care Services Australia, The Tenants Union, The Benevolent Society as well as Family and Community Services.
The latest Rental Affordability Index found that pensioners are being priced out of the rental market. No surprise to HAAG members who have been feeling the rental squeeze for many years.
"Across the nation, the single pensioner household is facing Severely Unaffordable and Extremely unaffordable rents. For the most part, locating in metropolitan areas (which is where one bedroom dwellings are generally available) would require 60 per cent or more of the pensioner’s income to be spent on rent.
Housing pressures on this household type would also be compounded by a number of other pressures, including health care costs associated with aging".
Qinhui was 70 years old and was referred to us by Chinese Social Services for housing support due to end of private rental lease and inability to secure alternative accommodation. She had been transient for a while following a relationship breakdown with family who she originally lived with when she came to Australia. Qinhui moved between friends and family members’ homes until she found private rental. At the time of referral Qinhui’s lease had ended and she had been couch surfing before securing what she describes as a dangerous rooming house.
Ljuba Jovanovksa was 62 years old and was referred to us by a family violence worker at In Touch Multicultural Family Violence service. Ljuba came from overseas in 2011 and spoke little English, she was experiencing family violence perpetrated by her husband. In Touch assisted her with intervention orders and temporary accommodation.
Pelulale Fitu was 68 years old and was referred to our service for housing assistance by the Office of Housing, Sunshine. At the time of referral Pelulale had been on the public housing waiting list for 23 years.
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."