AGE ACCOMMODATION

193 Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (31 July 2007). Has the Government developed a range of accommodation models to meet the needs of ageing clients with complex needs or behavioural issues and, if so, what are they and when were they implemented?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): Objective 2.2 of the State Housing Plan for South Australia affirms the Government's commitment to increasing the supply of social rental stock that is suitable for older people. The Ageing Plan for South Australia reiterates this commitment by stating that

…it is a priority for Government to create adaptable housing and communities that work for older people.

There are currently a variety of housing programs funded by the State Government that specifically cater to older people. They include fully independent living arrangements through Housing SA, including in the community housing sector, along with assistance with private rental and home ownership options.

In addition, those with complex needs and behavioural issues can access Government programs and services relevant to their circumstances. Not only must we provide suitable housing for the State's ageing population, we need to attach packages of support that will enable people to remain living in their homes for as long as practicable. The Department for Families and Communities (DFC), through Housing SA, currently provides a range of housing products for aged people, including those with complex needs. For example:

Housing SA has 5,142 aged cottage flats (housing predominantly older tenants) located throughout the State and many more elderly people live in other forms of public housing.

The Disability Modification Program modifies existing tenants' homes to ensure maximum accessibility for aged occupants with mobility issues.

Joint venture programs have been undertaken over many years with local government and non-government organisations, e.g. churches, to create community-style developments for older community members, with strong connections to local services and facilities. A recent example of this work is a new 19 unit aged housing complex as part of the Westwood redevelopment next to a 90 bed aged care facility being built by the Salvation Army on land formerly owned by the South Australian Housing Trust. It is intended that social housing tenants with support requirements will access services and programs offered by the Salvation Army at the new facility.

Elderly people who meet Housing SA's usual eligibility criteria may obtain financial assistance to establish private rental tenancies.

The government is also ensuring that at least 15 per cent of new housing developments provide for affordable housing outcomes. For example, 15 per cent of the 700 new houses being constructed in the Northgate redevelopment are to be set aside for affordable housing, with 5 per cent of the houses to be designated for people with high needs. Aged people will be amongst the special need groups accommodated in new, adaptable housing within the redevelopment. In addition, an expression of interest was recently posted in The Advertiser seeking aged housing providers who are prepared to work in partnership with the Affordable Housing Innovations Unit to develop affordable housing options for older Housing SA customers.

DFC's Office for Community Housing has been instrumental in setting up, and providing financial assistance to, 19 housing associations and 3 housing cooperatives that provide housing specifically for the aged. They provide long term tenure for aged people, with strong linkages to local community and support services. The first of these organisations was established in 1981.

HomeStart Finance offers a Seniors Equity Loan for people aged over 60 years which allows home owners to access the equity in their properties. Repayments are flexible and affordable and allow older people opportunities to upgrade or modify their existing homes to meet their changing requirements as they age. The Seniors Equity Loan was introduced in 2004. In addition to these housing programs for aged people, the government is providing funding through Office for the Ageing for many support programs established to enable older people to 'age in place' and remain connected to the community.

For example, $550,000 in 2006-07 was allocated to provide care services for older people who are socially isolated and require support to live independently, including social housing tenants. This included a grant of $399,000 for Housing SA to employ Community Care Consultants for Seniors to work with ageing social housing customers living in public, community and aboriginal housing. Although originally a 12 month 'kick start' initiative, further funding of $194,000 has recently been approved so as to extend this program until June 2008. The Community Care Consultants have been instrumental in assisting Housing SA to identify those tenants who require support to remain living independently due to complex needs or behavioural issues.

The government will continue to work towards achieving the objectives detailed in our Ageing Plan and our State Housing Plan for South Australia. We are committed to continuing to fund programs that meet the diverse needs of ageing South Australians, and to the provision of appropriate packages of support for those who require additional assistance to live independently.