Future housing of older Australians
A national affordable housing strategy must be developed by all three levels of government and housing providers to ensure appropriate housing for older Australians into the future, according to a position paper prepared by Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA).
A national affordable housing strategy must be developed by all three levels of government and housing providers to ensure appropriate housing for older Australians into the future.
Adjunct Professor John G Kelly AM, ACSA chief executive, says the position paper, titled The Future of Housing for Older Australians, calls for concessions and reforms to housing, planning and tax arrangements.
“Housing is essential to the safety and wellbeing of Australia's increasing ageing population,” Professor Kelly says.
“The position paper is the result of research conducted by ACSA and extensive consultation with our members across Australia, who are significantly involved in providing accommodation solutions for older Australians.”
The paper contains five recommendations:
- a joint national affordable housing strategy be developed by all three levels of governments;
- the term ‘seniors accommodation’ be included in the relevant state and territory legislation so that these developments will be given special consideration in planning;
- government provides zero interest loans and/or innovative funding to upgrade and expand targeted housing solutions for older Australian. This capital assistance would prioritise upgrades to dated independent living unit stock and projects that include accessible design, integrated care services, opportunities for community engagement and support for low income, low asset residents;
- the introduction of a government supported home equity release scheme with clear guidelines on the amounts of money that could be drawn down and for which purposes; and
- the federal government introduce an age pensioners saving account scheme in which older Australians could invest the surplus from the sale of their home. The money in this account scheme would be dedicated to future care and living costs and would be exempt from the asset and income test for the age pension.
The Position Paper will inform ACSA's advocacy to government, submissions to inquiries and meetings with relevant stakeholders.
Many of the recommendations have already been suggested by the Productivity Commission.
Aged and Community Services Australia is the peak body for mission based aged care providers.
Download the Future of Housing for Older Australians position paper.
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