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Researchers at The University of Western Australia will investigate whether WA's ageing population is being disadvantaged by laws governing housing and accommodation.

The Consumer Research Unit and Council of the Ageing WA received $225,000 funding from Lotterywest to undertake the research.

Chief investigator Associate Professor Eileen Webb, from UWA Law School's Consumer Research Unit, said researchers would talk to seniors, carers, agencies and other stakeholders to identify housing and other accommodation-related issues.

"We want to ask them about their experiences of current housing legislation and investigate any shortcomings or difficulties they may be facing," Professor Webb said.

"Older people are more likely to suffer stress and anxiety about housing and accommodation because they place a high value on their home environment.

"They are less likely to be in full-time employment and more likely to spend more time at home and in their neighbourhood than at any other period in their lives."

Professor Webb who works with Associate Professor Aviva Freilich said she envisaged the findings would lead to policy development and law reform in several areas.

The researchers will examine accommodation designated for seniors, such as residential aged care facilities and retirement villages, strata title developments, public housing tenancies, boarding and lodging houses, and residential parks.

They will also consider the law as it impacts on seniors in rural and regional areas; seniors with disabilities; indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse seniors; and those with low incomes and low assets.

"To date there has not been any one study which seeks to collate such a significant amount of information about seniors' housing and accommodation law in WA and its specific - and at times unique - areas of concern," Professor Webb said.

Media references

Associate Professor Eileen Webb (UWA Consumer Research Unit)  (+61 8)  6488 2947  /  (+61 4) 01 326 023
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783