What does the research tell us?
Demographic analysis identifies a significant future increase in smaller households in Yarra Ranges due to broader social and economic trends and an ageing population. It is anticipated that two thirds of the expected population increase in the next 15 years will comprise people aged over 65. As there is a general preference for people to stay in their own homes and ‘age in place’, Council will need to look for ways to support older residents to achieve this goal including increased housing diversity and appropriate service provision.
What can Council do about housing for all abilities and older people?
Council will be encouraging the diversification of housing types and identifying areas for increased housing density to increase the options for downsizing. However, Council has an additional role in providing services which allow residents to remain in their own homes. Recent aged care reforms have streamlined the service model for older residents staying in their homes, and Council’s role will shift to other providers in the future. Council’s Healthy and Active Ageing Plan 2019-2023 identified age-friendly housing as a key issue for further investigation
What about the design of housing?
Like providing support services for residents to stay in their own homes, houses can be designed to be adaptable and facilitate residents remaining in their own homes. Liveable Housing Australia has defined liveable housing as housing designed and built to meet our changing needs as we age (Liveable Housing Design Guidelines 2017). The Liveable Design Guidelines state that a liveable home is designed to
- Be easy to enter
- Be easy to move around in
- Be capable of easy and cost-effective adaptation
- Anticipate and respond to the changing needs of home occupants.
This concept is called universal design, which is used to describe housing built to a universal standard that is accessible, adaptable, and visitable for all abilities and life stages. Universal Design concepts include simple, step free entries to dwellings, wide hallways and doorways, slip resistant flooring and accessible toilets and bathrooms.
Incorporating urban design principles in new housing avoids the need for expensive retrofitting later. Houses with universal design also support multi-generational living, which has been identified as an opportunity for Yarra Ranges’ large stock of bigger single-family homes.
What about more specialised housing types?
Since the Housing Strategy 2009, Council has approved a new objective for Aged Persons Housing in the Planning Scheme as part of a larger review of the whole Planning Scheme (Amendment C148). The Aged Persons Housing objective and supporting policies are intended to ensure that specialised housing types, including nursing homes, retirement villages and co-housing options are provided in sustainable locations. Amendment C148 is currently with the Minister for Planning for approval.
Is there more we can do?
The Housing Strategy Review Discussion Paper proposes the following opportunities:
- As part of the actions from Council’s Healthy and Active Ageing Plan, further analysis is needed to better understand the housing needs of an older population and how to support residents to stay in their homes.
- Use the Housing Strategy to encourage universal design in new developments.
