
Briefs
New social housing will be more energy efficient, but older houses are still costing us dearly
Poor energy ratings for homes have far-reaching effects, not just for environmental emissions, but also for the health and financial wellbeing of the people who live in them. This AHURI brief draws on our research to highlight the current situation for Australia’s social housing stocks, home to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
Why Australia needs to do more to protect tenants' data
Large data breaches recently in Australia have been caused by cyber hacking of data, but the legal collection and use of data, particularly rental data, from people is of concern too. Not only can tenants' personal data be hacked and/or leaked, it can also be used to manipulate them, or even to discriminate against them.
Programs to make home accessible for older tenants
Modifying dwellings to enable older residents to live more independently means people stay in their homes longer and saves governments money in not having to supply greater numbers of beds in supported age care establishments. However, for older people who do not own their dwellings such modifications are only possible with permission from landlords, and usually properties must be returned to their previous state when the tenancy ends. If the older tenant then has to move into another private rental dwelling they will have to pay for modifications (and repairs) again. This would be the case each time they are required to move into a new property.
Head leasing for older renters
In head leasing, a housing agency (which could be a not-for-profit, for-profit or a government organisation) leases a property from a property owner and then on-leases the property to the tenant. The housing agency is responsible for making sure the landlord is paid rent at the correct time, that the property is treated with care and that leases, legalities and repairs are negotiated fairly with the landlord.
Rental brokerage officer to manage tenancies for older renters
Private rental brokerage programs (PRBPs) work with vulnerable households to access and sustain private rental tenancies through targeted early intervention assistance (e.g. advice, information, introductions and timely support) designed to build tenancy capacity and through building links with the local private rental industry so that they can compete successfully for rental properties in a competitive market and sustain their tenancies over the longer term. The programs help lower income tenants, including older tenants, who are less able to be successful in accessing housing in the market.