WA Seniors Face Housing Shortage
WA Seniors are set to face a major housing shortage as the number of Australians looking to reside in retirement living accommodation doubles by 2025.
The government needs to adopt a single portfolio approach and appoint a minister with specific oversight for retirement living to ensure future demand is met.
According to research commissioned by the Property Council of Australia, West Australian seniors face a major shortfall in retirement housing as supply lags behind the increasing demand.
“By 2030 more than 19% of the population will be over 65. These people deserve the opportunity to decide which type of housing is best for them. Without an increase in residential living development, seniors will be denied that choice,” Property Council WA Executive Director Joe Lenzo said.
“The future increase in demand must be matched by an increased determination by politicians and town planners to support the development of more seniors housing.
“Local councils need to adopt a proactive attitude if the shortage is to be adequately addressed.
The state and local councils need to develop policies that support responsible growth of retirement living. In the current State planning regulations there is a lock of awareness of the general issues surrounding retirement living.
“It’s astounding that at present many local councils have no plans to develop seniors housing, if things don’t change a shortage is inevitable.”
“Land use policy is the single most important lever that governments have to provide rapid support for the development of more retirement villages,” Property Council WA Executive Director Joe Lenzo said.
“The current rate of development cannot meet the future need for seniors housing, leaving our elderly vulnerable.
“By 2030 more than 19% of the population will be over 65. These people deserve the opportunity to decide which type of housing is best for them. Without an increase in residential living development, seniors will be denied that choice.”
“The future increase in demand must be matched by an increased determination by state politicians and council planners to support the development of more seniors housing.
“Local councils need to adopt a proactive attitude if the shortage is to be adequately addressed.
The Property Council is calling on Government for the following:
- Implement a freeze on legislative and regulatory change to enable the industry to stabilize and deliver more accommodations, which is vital to the WA community.
- Facilitate the creation of an effective consultative committee that has a focus on growing the provision of response accommodation options and actively engages with industry
- Investigate the creation of incentives that ensure appropriate accommodation can be developed affordably in area where people need it; and
- Establish a more effective governance structure that fosters industry growth.
Media contact: Joe Lenzo | M 0419 044 768 | E [email protected]