This policy note to bring to light the difficult choices facing older people during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to both service and survey data from HAAG in late April and May the lives of older people experiencing rental stress are becoming even more precarious.
Throughout 2019-2020 we surveyed and interviewed 228 older LGBTI people aged between 50 and 80 years of age about their housing and the information they provided forms the basis of this submission. We found that more older LGBTI people have experienced homelessness than their non-LGBTI counterparts, and that older LGBTI people are in circumstances that place them at risk of homelessness.
Our social media quiz questions the governments priorities investing $688 million in the "HomeBuilder" home renovation scheme, rather than investing in public, affordable housing.
LGBTI older people's housing issues
10 Jun 2020
Shane speaks to Rebecca Walton about her survey of LGBTI older people and housing. Fiona talks about the latest Federal Govt announcement on housing stimulus. Sign the Everybody's Home Petition here:https://everybodyshome.com.au/filthy-rich-homeless/
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, join Seniors Rights Victoria for a cuppa and be part of the campaign to end elder abuse
Housing for older people across the nation
27 May 2020
Fiona talks to Kobi Maglen, who has recently joined HAAG on our national project Ageing on the Edge, to give an update about housing for older people across the country. Fiona also talks about our COVID-19 survey on older renters and housing
All older people in Australia should enjoy the same high standards of care. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many older people who experience deep and persistent disadvantage. This category of deep and persistent disadvantage describes any older person suffering from the effects of poverty, trauma and/or social isolation, homelessness, and anyone with reduced capacity to live independently or without informal support/s from family, friends or carers. We estimate that there are over 18,000 older people in Australia experiencing this type of disadvantage who cannot readily access aged care or who are not welcome in many services.
Help keep our beloved Community Radio Station online, on-point, and on the airwaves.
Where to build more public housing?
13 May 2020
Fiona talks to Liam Davies from the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT about their interim report into "surplus land" the government is planning to sell, and how better suited it would be to build more public housing.Shane talks about the latest rental reforms for COVID-19 and the inadequate response from government to assist older renters.
Many retirement housing residents have questions about their rights in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, so we put this factsheet together to answer some of the most common ones.
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."