February 2008

The newly formed Queensland Shelter Senior’s Housing Branch, comprised of members of the Older Person’s Speak Out network (OPSO) and cooperating agencies, have appointed Tracey Douglas as Branch Delegate.

 The Branch brings with it a wealth of expertise in advocacy, policy development, media campaigning, educational program development and delivery, and lobbying.

The branch has discussed piloting a six month research project leading to a viable seniors’ share housing program in which consenting seniors will free up underutilised properties for use as rentals, pool resources, minimise isolation, enhance their independence, and preserve legatee’s assets.

Principles they will promote through senior’s home sharing are:

·         Social Inclusion

·         Seniors remaining in the community

·         Improving efficacy of HACC services

·         Pooling resources to assist with property maintenance.

Under the proposed guidelines, self funded retirees would share their housing with seniors who either place their vacated properties on the rental market or who have been priced out of the same.

 Stage one of the project will:

·         Research the existing legal framework including common law rights and agreements, statutory protections, exemptions under the RSA And RTA

·         Examine treatment of assets and income ( including disposal of duplicate items in share houses, effect on pension, rent assistance, HACC, Medicare, income)

·         Survey prospective sharers re: ideal number of room-mates, concerns, expectations

·         Research the effect of death of head tenant or relocation to aged care

·         Use of properties freed for rental in the private market

·          Identify dispute resolution, arrears, terminations,  evictions authorities and practices

·         Promote benefits of shared access to services including environmental benefits such as car pooling and shared use of Home Assist Secure and HACC services

Stage two of the project will put this research into practice by:

·         Appointing a coordinator to  oversee home shares screen and match applicants, and

·         Case manage houses

Parties affected by the proposal could include DOCs, DOH, Centrelink, Dept of Ageing, HACC, FAHCSIA, Home assist Secure.

Stage two of the project will trial in Redland Bay based at the Donald Simpson centre.