News
The Great Housing Debate: Is affordable housing a right?
October 4, 2011
A FREE public event, hosted by not-for-profit aged care provider Benetas and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.
“The cost of buying, or even renting a house is a huge topic of concern for many Australians,” says Sandra Hills, CEO of Benetas. “It comes during a time when we’re seeing people become increasingly hesitant to down-size or sell their homes as they reach retirement or move into aged care.”
This particular conundrum is the inspiration for a special debate that encourages Victorians of all ages to discuss the topic ‘that affordable housing is a right.’
“We’re excited to host this event, particularly after the success of last year’s Great Respect Debate,” says Ms Hills. “This year, we’re interested in the impact of affordable housing for older people.”
Statistics from the Australian Housing and Research Institute (AHURI) show that 112,000 households headed by a person over 70 were in housing stress compared with 56,000 households in 2004. What’s more, on Census night in 2006, over 18,000 people over the age of 55 were homeless.
Mr Shane Austin, Director of Development at the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation explains, “The Foundation is concerned with the number of elderly people becoming homeless; we thought this debate, which addresses two of the Foundation’s focus areas of homelessness and ageing, was a good way to further continue the discussion with the public.”
Debaters for the Great Housing Debate include Bill Kusznirczuk, 3AW's resident urban planning expert; Rod Quantock, Australian comedian; Tony Keenan, CEO of Hanover Welfare Services; Pat Sparrow, Director of Aged Care Reform Engagement at COTA; Wesa Chau, Victorian Young Australian of the Year 2010; and Tyrone Connell, from the Victorian Schools Debating Team. Farah Farouque, Law and Justice Editor at The Age will adjudicate.
Channel Nine’s Pete Smith will return to host the debate, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of home and housing affordability for older Victorians and the wider community.
The Great Housing Debate kicks off at 11am on Thursday 6 October at BMW Edge, Federation Square. FREE tickets can be booked by visiting or calling 03 8823 7998.
Debaters are available for interview. Media are welcome to attend.
Media contact: Lisa Rees 0400 224 852 or lrees@benetas.com.au
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