Housing options and independent living: sustainable outcomes for older people who are homeless

Summary

The housing solutions sought by older homeless people are a little different from those of the older population at large: they value independent living and security of tenure. Of particular importance is the targeted provision of public housing and community housing which provides security of tenure, affordability, and accessibility.


Project Number: 70135
Research Theme: Homelessness, Health_Ageing_and_Disability
Project Leader: Judd, Bruce
Funding Year: 2002
Research Centre: UNSW-UWS

Research and Policy Bulletin

Research & Policy Bulletin

Issue 061: Housing and support options for older people who are homeless

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123 KB PDF Document

Description

To examine the views of older homeless people about how to prevent homelessness, the research conducted in-depth interviews with 59 older people who have experienced homelessness and who were clients of an Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) agency. A national survey of 40 ACHA agencies was also conducted, and interviews with 15 agency managers, to compare and contrast the perspectives of those using and managing the agencies.

The key findings of the research are:

  • Older homeless people have the same housing requirements as the older population at large – they particularly value ‘independent living’ and ‘security of tenure’.
  • Public and community housing are seen as the best ways of obtaining these housing requirements, and the views of those using and managing ACHA agencies are consistent with regard to these preferred housing solutions for older homeless people.
  • Private rental housing is the least preferred housing option due to a perceived lack of: security of tenure, affordability; control; and accessibility for disabled clients.
  • Boarding houses are not preferred housing solutions because of perceived exploitation, intimidation, and the threat of eviction by landlords, and the minimal facilities for independent living.
  • Services supporting independent living were most successful when they were flexible, tailored to the needs of individuals, and characterized by trust and regular contact between the agency worker and client.
  • The policy needs to create opportunities for security of tenure and independent living if the private rental market is reinforced by this research.

More Information

Download now Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 061: Housing and support options for older people who are homeless
123 KB PDF Document

Download now Positioning Paper: No. 060: Housing options and independent living: sustainable outcomes for older people who are homeless
1.6 MB PDF Document

Download now Final Report: No. 062: Housing options and independent living: sustainable outcomes for older people who are homeless
3.02 MB PDF Document

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