Abstract:

The ageing of the population is recognised as one of the major changes facing Australia at the turn of the century. The future effects of population ageing can be anticipated because of the next cohort of older people already in their late middle age. Similarly, the stock of dwellings in the housing market is long lasting and only 1-2 per cent of additional dwellings are built each year. Processes of ageing have major implications for the changing composition and use of the nations housing stock. Equally important are the effects of housing on the economic and social wellbeing of people over the entire life span and particlaurly in old age. Improving the living conditions for older people depends very much on shifting towards more postive attitudes on ageing. Environmental protection and resurgent beleifs in unfettered markets and competition is resulting in losses of neighbourhood supermarkets and other shops whcih are important for people with limited mobility. What we aim for in theory can be very different from what results are possible, We need to keep equity issues uppermost in mind. There are critical points in the life span and we must ensure that disadvantaged people are not left behind. Younger people can no longer be assumed to have better lifetime prospects than their parents, severe cuts in home owenership and public housing programs will add to these difficulties unless Rent assistance and/or funding for public housing is increased. Long term care of older people could be funded from housing welath or through death duties. Better use of the housing stock must not result in displacement of older people.