HELP is at hand for Victorian seniors weighing up their living options with the launch of an advice service to guide people through the retirement housing maze.
The state’s first service dedicated to supporting people in retirement housing has been set up by not-for-profit community group Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG).
Co-manager Fiona York said the Retirement Housing Advice and Advocacy Program offers help to seniors living in caravan and residential villages, retirement villages and rental villages across Victoria.
Residents must be 55 and over with some form of financial disadvantage or receiving a Centrelink benefit. The service can also provide advice on housing options, including things to look out for when considering entering a retirement village.
“HAAG has been assisting residents in retirement housing for a number of years but this is the first time a specific program has been provided by government in the retirement housing space,” Ms York said.
“HAAG’s knowledge and expertise gained over 15 years of working directly with residents have made it an ideal organisation to take on this role.”
The funding comes at an important time for retirement village residents, with the retirement housing sector “in the midst of some critical policy and legislative reviews”.
Clients Allan Meers and Wendy Bramhill said having advice and support was crucial at a difficult time in their lives.
“HAAG understands that choosing, maintaining and leaving retirement housing can be complex and difficult,” Allan said.
“There are multiple things to consider such as your contract, the type of housing you are living in or wanting to live in, the law that protects you, and of course your preferences and priorities.
“HAAG really helped us understand the issues we were facing – their calm and focused approach was a great assurance at a very difficult time.”
For Patricia Hogan, the help she received was invaluable when her father was trying to get to grips with his retirement village contract.
“HAAG helped my dad find out his legal rights in respect to his contract with the retirement village and allowed him to stand up for these rights,” she said.
“This meant less stress, and stopped them bullying him into a smaller unit.”
- Housing for the Aged Action Group, (03) 9654-7389 Monday to Friday 10am-4pm or email retirement@oldertenants.org.au
HAAG also convenes two retirement housing working groups that work to change government policy on different forms of retirement housing. If you would like to help with campaigns and lobbying, phone 9654-7389 and speak to Jess McCrickard or Shane McGrath.
