Housing and Older People in Australia: Now and the Coming Decades Presentation to Resthaven Andrew Beer University of Adelaide

Agenda The changing relationship between housing and the life course in Australia Housing and older Australians Where to next?

Housing Careers The sequence of housing you occupy through your life course. Measured in terms of the ‘household’. More recently, David Clapham’s (2002; 2004; 2005) perspectives on housing pathways – a greater focus on the meaning of home. Conventionally – Leave home – Marry and enter home ownership, soon followed by arrival of first child – Stay in the family home – maybe with one move – Move to a retirement village or die at home

SOUTHERN RESEARCH CENTRE Housing Careers The Housing Career ‘Ladder”

From Housing Careers to Housing Transitions Idea that no longer a purposeful ‘ladder’ of housing to ascend Greater level of movement to more or less advantageous positions Great deal of lateral movement

Generations The Austerity Generation – The Baby Boomers – Generation X – Generation Y –

Generation at the 2001 Census

What can life course perspectives on housing tell us? Demand for housing for older people will grow Many of those in older age will be different households compared with the past – Not all outright owners 11% private tenants At significant risk in the private market, including homelessness – Impact of divorce and repartnering – Some with greater levels of wealth through housing – Significant but unequal impact of superannuation

What can life course perspectives on housing tell us? Impact of disability – Declining rates of mortality amongst the aged, but rising rates of morbidity The ‘old old’ fastest growing population group in Australia – Providing care for others – Desire to remain in the family home and age in place Many female headed households worse off – Gendered impact of divorce

What can life course perspectives on housing tell us? Changing social values: – Willingness to consume wealth in own lifetime – Proximity to family members a more complex issue – More willing to move within older age Seachange/treechange migration often leads to churn – May need to provide accommodation for own children/grandchildren into advanced age Affects the type of housing will accept

Current Supply Most remain in the family home, even though it may be inappropriate Retirement village industry remains small – Current business models too confronting for many – Costs are too high for many – Limited non-private options Some older people assume access to public/social housing that will simply not eventuate

Where to Next? The demographic imperatives cant be denied – By 2050 the aged population will double to 25% of the Australian population – The ageing of the population will be responsible for half of new housing construction over the coming decades – Mainstream planning will need to focus on the needs of the aged – eg TODs – Supply of purpose built aged housing will increase, but it will not be sufficient to match demand – Women and those on low incomes will be the most vulnerable

Where to Next? Housing needs of the aged population will also bring other needs: – Impact of social isolation – Need for transport and other services – Demand for financial planning – Staffing