Housing older South Aussies

A housing and support program for older South Australians was launched last Friday in the state’s south.

Minister for Social Housing, Ian Hunter, and Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Brendan O’Connor, launched the Aged Homelessness Assistance Program for older South Australians in Melrose Park.

Melrose Park Village is made up of 12 onebedroom and six twobedroom units, targeted at people over the age of 50 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

It was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state governments and provides stable housing for residents who may have previously experienced trouble maintaining a tenancy.

The Aged Homelessness Assistance program, funded through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, has 30 other houses across South Australia.

Mr O’Connor said people aged 55 and over comprise close to one-fifth of all homeless people in Australia.

“Australia’s population is ageing and the number of people aged 50 and over is predicted to more than double from 2010 to 2050,” he said.

“This tells us later life homelessness is likely to be a growing issue requiring sustained attention and sustainable strategies.

According to Mr O’Connor, part of the problem was a lack of affordable housing for senior Australians.

“That is why the federal government is investing more than $20 billion in social and affordable housing measures, ensuring that a proportion of these homes are specifically earmarked for older Australians,” he said.