Is Government Finally Ready to Recognise the Silver Tsunami?
The retirement living industry has called on Government to match words with actions after the Housing Minister demanded more be done to support the housing needs of WA’s aging population.
The fact that the government is taking notice of the plight facing many seniors, when it comes to housing, is a big win for the retirement living sector.
The Property Council has been calling for reforms to improve the lives of West Australian seniors and we look forward to working with government to secure sustainable and appropriate housing options for all West Australians.
People are living and working longer than ever before, which will have a profound impact on the needs of those entering senior’s accommodation. Latest statistics show that there were 340,200 people aged 65 years and over in WA at June 2015, representing 13% of the state’s population.
With this number set to increase, now is the time for the Government to take serious action to ensure that the housing needs of WA’s seniors are being met. Planning policies that limit opportunities for retirement living, outdated legislation and cumbersome red tape is making it hard for the industry to keep up with demand and leading to housing shortages where seniors want to live.
At the heart of the Property Council’s 2017 State election agenda, are policy priorities aimed at improving housing choice for seniors, promoting downsizing and boosting liveability in the retirement living sector.
These priorities include the introduction of a stamp duty grant for eligible seniors that are downsizing their housing needs, reform of the Retirement Village Act and introducing retirement living housing targets for local governments.
Such reforms will assist the retirement living sector to provide a range of affordable housing options in the right locations that meet the needs of today’s seniors. The retirement living industry needs a firm commitment from all parties contesting next year’s election that they will make seniors housing a priority and act on these recommendations.
The Property Council’s 2017 state election agenda includes reforms specific to the retirement living sector:
- Reduce stamp duty costs for eligible seniors that are downsizing their housing needs
- Reform the Retirement Village Act to partially lift memorials on titles to allow mixed use developments
- Increase the supply of seniors housing by introducing retirement living housing targets for local governments in State government planning instruments
- Introduce planning reforms to encourage the supply of well-located retirement living options for our aging population.
The Property Council will provide the State Government with a submission for the development of the proposed seniors housing strategy.
View the Discussion paper here.