Housing for the Aged Action Group

Fiona and Liz hear from Dao and Thi, Vietnamese residents who live in one of the Richmond high rises scheduled to be demolished as part of the public housing renewal program. 

Shane and Fiona speak to regional workers Teresa and Anne about the work they do supporting older people to access housing in regional Victoria. This work is entirely funded by the Ian Rollo Currie Foundation. If you want to support the program head to www.oldertenants.org.au/donate or call HAAG on (03) 96547389

Shane and Fiona talk to Kerrie Byrne from Save Public Housing Collective

Shane talks to Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia, about how the cost of living crisis is affecting older people and what COTA is calling for during the federal election campaign. Find out more about COTA's federal election statement here or check out HAAG's election resources on our website. 

Shane and Fiona talk to Nadia Harrison, the CEO of Mortgage Stress Victoria, about the impacts of mortgage stress on older people, what help is available, and what needs to change to make Australian mortgages fairer and more sustainable. 

Shane and Fiona speak to Allie about her role as care finder at HAAG. She explains how to access aged care and housing, and some of the barriers for older renters. 

Shane and Fiona talk about the upcoming Federal Election and what HAAG is asking of our Federal candidates. We conclude with ways that you can get involvedTo find out more go to https://www.oldertenants.org.au/federal-election-campaigning 

Shane and Fiona talk to Sophie from Sweltering Cities on the occasion of the first Extreme Heat Awareness Day. Then we hear from HAAG member Vanessa about her experiences dealing with heat as a public housing renter. 

Lew Wheeler and Ann Davies from the Fight Against Inequality Network join us to talk about their new organisation aiming to connect people and organisations in the fight against inequality, particularly the widening gap between rich and poor in this country. See their website https://fainetwork.com/

We hear from two older women with a lived experience of homelessness, Vera and Angela,  who fall into the "missing middle" eligibility gap for housing support, speaking at the launch of HAAG's research Not Poor Enough, Not Rich Enough: older people falling through the housing eligibility gap, conducted by Swinburne University of Technology. Read the report here [Apologies for the background noise towards the begining of the episode - blame new year brain fog!]

Gary Ferguson is the Education Coordinator at Seniors Rights Victoria. He discusses older women's safety and how elder abuse intersects with housing and women's safety, as well as the importance of early intervention and prevention.Seniors Rights Victoria www.seniorsrights.org.auLGBTIAQ+ Elder Abuse Survey 

Shane and Fiona talk to Bill McKenzie, public housing resident and HAAG member, talking about his citizen science work at Layfield Court, one of the older persons high rises in Melbourne, and about the issues of heatwaves in high rises, Homes Victoria's communications about the demolitions, and the roll out of the air conditioning program.Corrections: The undercounting of heatwave deaths was between 2006-2017, not 2006-2009. More information can be found via the ANU Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions. The airconditioners supplied by Vic Govt were 2.9KvA not 3.9KVA 

Shane and Fiona hear from Prof Wendy Stone, Veda and Chuping who spoke at HAAG's older peoples housing forum at Victorian Parliament House in Septemberhttps://houseonfire.oldertenants.org.au/older-peoples-housing-forum/

We hear from older residents of the Flemington public housing high rise slated for redevelopment, recorded at a community meeting on 19 September (thanks Danielle!)Residents are Awatif, Khadija, Ka-tam and Osman and we also hear from Jeannie, former resident of Bang Street and Barack Beacon, speaking at a rally for public housing on Saturday 19 October.You can read the article about OFFICE research into alternatives to redevelopment here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-simple-solution-to-the-public-housing-towers-knock-down-that-could-save-taxpayers-millions-20241009-p5kgwd.htmlTo follow the court case, go to Save Public Housing collective's instagram page

Fiona speaks to Hannah Lewis and Sam Horman from Homeless Law about their digital tool, Dear Landlord, that they developed in response to the huge demand that Homeless Law was seeing through their advice service. To access the tool, go to https://justiceconnect.org.au/help/dear-landlord/

Shane and Fiona speak to Erin Turner, CEO of Consumer Policy Research Centre about their new research in partnership witht he Office of the Residential Tenancies Commissioner, focussing on residential parks.You can find out more and participate in the research by going to their website www.cprc.org.au

Shane and Fiona hear from Vera, Glenda and Georgie from an interview recorded last year.You can see video from this https://youtu.be/V0DAkInQW5w?si=qkeKOH8kZHQCYmmW

Shane talks to Gabrielle de Vietri, Greens spokesperson for housing

Fiona and Shane talk to Steve, a resident from Lifestyle Communities involved in an upcoming VCAT case challenging some of the fees charged to residents. 

Fiona and Shane speak to Julijana Todorovic from Labor for Housing, about how rank and file members of the ALP are trying to improve Labor's housing policy. To find out more, go to their facebook page Labor for Housing 

Shane talks to Yumi Lee, CEO of the Older Women's Network NSW, about the housing crisis facing older people in NSW, and the inadequate response from the state's Labor government. Don't forget you can still donate to 3CR to keep shows like ours on the air at our radiothon page. 

Fiona and Shane are joined by Dini to talk about whats in the Federal and Victorian budget for older people. The answer is not much.

Fiona speaks to Lucy McMahon and Celeste de Clario, two documentary film makers who produced "Things Will be Different" about the demolition of the Walker Street public housing estate. The film is being released nationally and supported by local housng justice campaigns. You can find out more at www.thingswillbedifferent.com

Shane and Fiona talk to Debra Nicholls, Elder Rights Advocacy about aged care rights, and their aged care visitors scheme.You can find out more by calling 1800 700 600 or going to www.elderrights.org.au

Shane and Fiona talk to Jodie, one of HAAG's intake team, about her work and what people can expect if they call HAAG for assistance.

Shane and Fiona speak to Sabrina Clarke, project worker for Better Renting, about their newly released report into the heat and humidiity of rental properties across australia. We chat about what their research demonstrated and the need for better rental standards.  Read the report and find out more on their website https://www.betterrenting.org.au/

Shane and Fiona hear from speakers at the Victorian Homelessness Conference, held at Melbourne Town Hall late last year. Vera Considine talks about her experience of precarious housing as an older woman, and Peter Sibly talks about his plans for the Footscray Lions Village co-operative for older women.

Shane and Fiona hear speakers from the National Housing Conference panel on older people's housing, which HAAG facilitated last year. First, Luke Garswood from Connect Vic Park in Western Australia, and then Dee, a resident of Wintringham. Don't forget to subscribe to 3CR!  

We hear from seven members of HAA'G's LGBTIQA+ working group - Rosemary, Robert, Margaret, Rikki, Chuping, Garry and Georgie - who talk about what home means to them. Then we hear from Andrew Rogers from Val's Ageing and Aged Care and HAAG's Committee of Management, about Midsumma, and their radio show on 3CR Rainbows Don't Fade with AgeThanks to Kye White for pre-production! 

Fiona talks to Emma Bacon from Sweltering Cities about recent indications from the Victorian Government to introduce minimum standards for rental homes on cooling, and what we need them to put into law to make homes safer for older people in heat waves.We also talk about a new heat stress tool, the annual Summer Survey and how heatwaves are a systemic issue that need to be tackled by all levels of government and community, not just individuals.To check out the Heat Stress test go to: https://heatwatch.sydney.edu.auTo complete the Summer Survey go to: https://swelteringcities.org

Shane and Fiona listen back to some of the stories of older women and homelessness, with an uplifting message from Molly Hadfield Award winner Vanessa Heart

Shane and Fiona hear from Rose Bruce-Smith about the types of things Consumer Action Law Centre are seeing affect older people - sophisticated scams, dodgy car sales, and retirement disputes - and what needs to be done about it.Heaps of great resources on their website https://consumeraction.org.au/

Shane and Steph talk to Victoria's Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Heather Holst, about her role and the problems faced by renters (and especially older renters) in the state. 

Shane and Reuben talk to Louisa Bassini, the Acting Director of Legal Practice at Inner Melbourne Community Legal, about the Victorian government's recent Housing Statement, focusing on the government's plans to demolish all the city's public housing highrises and what that means for current public housing tenants. We also talk more broadly about renters rights and the housing situation in Melbourne. Don't forget to RSVP for HAAG's forthcoming AGM either by calling (03) 9654 7389 or by emailing haag@oldertenants.org.au. You can attend in person or online, and can find out more about the AGM on our website.

Shane talks to Fiona, Linda and Michelle, who are all attending the National Housing Conference in Brisbane this week, about their impressions of the conference and what we need to build housing justice for older people. I also talk about some events HAAG is running or participating in as part of this month's Seniors Festival.

In a special double-Fiona episode, Shane and Fiona are joined by Fiona 2.0 to discuss some events HAAG is running as part of this year's Seniors Festival - retirement housing, quilting and more. Then we talk about the Andrews Government's recent Housing Statement, including some faint praise and a short list of okay announcements before we get to the really bad stuff in this garbage bag of antisocial policies. 

Shane and Fiona spoke to Samantha Floreani, Program Lead at Digital Rights Watch, about how tech is eroding older renters rights, and giving real estate agents way too much power. https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/

Shane and Fiona hear from members of HAAG's delegation to Canberra, where we launched our report "Ageing in a housing crisis" during Homelessness Week 2023.First we hear from Linda Hahn, Housing Older Women's Movement, and Michelle Cook, from HAAG's NSW Lived Experience Group.Then we hear from Professor Wendy Stone, Swinburne University, and Associate Professor Emma Power, Western Sydney University with a brief cameo appearance from Senator David Pocock.View the full recordingDownload the report,

Fiona and Shane talk to Janet, Mea and Peter from United Housing co-op on their 40th anniversary. We discuss the history of co-operative movements and the importance of partipatory tenant-led housing, how things have changed and what the future might hold for this important housng type. 

Shane talks to Helen, a resident of the Techno Park neighbourhood in Williamstown who are currently battling Hobson's Bay Council for the right to stay in their homes. We talk about the situation, the residents' campaign to stay, and the broader housing crisis for older women. You can sign the petition to support Techno Park residents here, or follow their Facebook page here. 

Fiona speaks to Gerard Mansour about his ten years as Victoria's Commissioner for Seniors and what he learnt from listening to the views and perspectives of 47000 older Victorians. We discuss the importance of Commissioner roles in raising the visibility of groups who are often invisible and ignored. and how having good housing contributes to "Ageing well".

Shane and Fiona speak to Rebecca Cook, HAAG's early intervention and community engagement worker, about how we raise the voices of older people in our community education and advocacy work. She talks about our working groups, and a new project to collect older women's housing histories,. Shane and Fiona then go on to talk about our plans for Canberra during Homelessness Week.

Fiona and Shane talk to Sue Perini from Elder Rights Advocacy about aged care services, both in-home and residential. What issues are the most common, how can people get help, and what needs to change to ensure older people can live with dignity both at home and in care? 

Fiona and Shane speak to Emma Greenhalgh about the Federal Budget and what it means for people in low income and in housing stress. 

Shane talks to Kerry, a solicitor and community legal education coordinator from the Disability Discrimination Legal Service. Many people develop disabilities as they age, and this can seriously affect their access to housing as well as other aspects of their lives. What rights and options do disabled people have to protect themselves from discrimination?  You can call DDLS on (03) 9654 8644. You can contact HAAG on (03) 9654 7389. 

Shane and Fiona talk to Dini Liyananrchchi about the NSW State Election, where the ALP is now in minority government, and what it means for older people's housing issues. We start the show with a recording from our forum held in February, where Michelle Cook, a member of HAAG's NSW Lived Experience Advisory Group tells her personal story of housing stress and homelessness.

Jorge Jorquera from Maribyrnong Council talks to Shane and Fiona about gentrification and rising housing costs in the inner west. We talk about how development is reshaping Footscray, including the old and new hospital sites. 

On International Womens Day we are focussing on older women and homelessness.Fiona speaks to Diana, Jen Jen and Priscilla - all older women who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity. They talk about their experiences and what they would like Government to do about it.

Fiona and Shane speak to Anicia, Violet, Elvie and David about the Footscray Lions Village redevelopment and their hopes for the future.To read more about the United Housing Co-op and Lions Club partnership to build 55+ womens housing, see https://www.unitedhousing.org.au/news/united-housing-co-operative-big-housing-build/To sign the Sweltering Cities petition for better cooling in rental housing see 

This week HAAG headed to Sydney to talk about older people's housing issues ahead of the upcoming state election. On this episode, I talk to HAAG member Michelle about living in a caravan park and organising for housing justice, and Fiona York about new research on the lives and needs of older renters in NSW. 

Fiona speaks to Robert Brierley, member of HAAG's LGBTI community advisory group about Midsumma and the upcoming Better Together conferenceTo complete HAAG's survey go to: LGBTI surveyFor information about our upcoming Loud, Proud and Unhoused events