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Housing in an ageing Australia: Nest and nest egg?
Homeownership serves multiple purposes over the life cycle: It acts as a home as well as a store of wealth to guarantee financial security in retirement. Its lack in old age compromises security of both tenure and finances. Much has been written about housing and homeownership. Here we apply the prism of population ageing to bring new insights to the topic.
This brief is in three parts.
2019
Housing America's Older Adults 2019
Within the US, the 65+ age group, most recent income gains have gone to the highest earners, and the number of households with housing cost burdens has reached an all-time high.
2019
'Meanwhile use' properties offer potential as a short-term solution to social housing needs
A vacant Sydney nursing home awaiting redevelopment has been lent to a women's shelter, with experts claiming examples like this could offer a short-term solution to Australia's lack of public housing. It is designed to bridge the gap between crisis accommodation and permanent living.
2019
Themes:
Older female renters are the 'canary in the coal mine' for housing affordability
There are a growing number of Australians facing rental stress in their retirement. Home ownership rates are falling and mortgage debts are rising for many older Australians. Also, the number of private renters in the 54-64 age group is projected to increase by over 50 per cent to 567,000 in 2031.
And it's getting harder for older renters to find adequate and secure housing.
2019
Themes:
Rental Affordability Snapshot
The Rental Affordability Snapshot highlights the lived experience of looking for housing on a low income. It focuses on those who earn the least– people on government income payments and people earning the minimum wage.
2019
Themes:
Fall in ageing Australians’ home-ownership rates looms as seismic shock for housing policy
Outright home ownership has long been regarded as a supporting pillar of Australian retirement incomes policies.
2019
Themes:
Older renter numbers predicted to climb
The high rate of home ownership in New Zealand is falling, with only around 50% currently owning their own home. This is predicted to decrease further.
The article looks at the impact this will have on rental issues faced by an ageing population in particular.
2019
Barriers to Aging in Community
A“livable community” is one that has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options, which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life.
2019
The Next Gen of Renters: Mom and Dad
This article presents findings from a US in-depth research study on renter demographics and found that, as the 60+ cohort grew bigger and faster, it also helped push the national median age from 36.7 in 2007 to 38.1 in 2017—the highest it’s ever been.
2019
Themes:
This is how boomers are reinventing retirement living
Today’s target market for senior housing in the US comprises a large and influential demographic. The number of households with people age 80 and over jumped 71% from 4.4 million in 1990 to 7.5 million in 2016.
2019
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."