Skyrocketing rental costs pushing older women into shared housing | 7.30

Skyrocketing rents are pushing many older single women into a type of accommodation usually associated with young adults - shared housing. Peter McCutcheon reports.
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[@neilc4544]

It's a Surprise that ABC has kept the Comment section open for this video 😅

[@neilblackburn6869]

Go to Melbourne and see how many middle aged men are living in hostels and backpackers. These places in dormitories are often the same cost as apartments during peak season.

[@fckuyo3918]

I've shared most of my adult life due to chronic illness. I fully acknowledge the possibility of having to live and die on the streets in the future

[@lisawanderess]

I'm 54 on disability pension living in a caravan because with my PTSD there's no way I could share a living space with anyone! I also go busking to pay for things I still can't afford like specialists appointments, car repairs and petrol. I was interviewed by Therese a couple of years ago... there are sooo many of us solo women out there living the "hidden homeless" life and under the radar as we're not the types to reach out to homeless support services

[@dmalka336]

I'm very sorry to hear and I wish you well.

[@framclean7910]

Younger people don’t want to share either

[@luns486]

Yes but it’s quite a different thing once you’re retirement age and basically unable to improve your circumstances.

[@framclean7910]

@@luns486 they had a life time to change their circumstances

[@boyunderbridge]

​@@framclean7910did you miss the part about health issues and being widowed

[@framclean7910]

No@@boyunderbridge

[@Ausf]

@@boyunderbridge Life and health insurance exist. Of course you can always just do nothing and be surprised you got a year older.

[@joebloggs6131]

I'm 42, and have shared accom since I was 18, and even that became unaffordable with a landlord maximising rooms, selling shoeboxes basically, and pushing 5 or more ($1000+ per week in rent) into a standard house that does not cost a Million dollars (1:1000 ratio should be where rents are set). I moved out to a car last year and have not applied for any other share houses. I give up on the whole thing. Single income so can't qualify for a mortgage, refuse to rent from greedy landlord, for me, my car is my own accommodation and the Police let me park it up almost anywhere as they know I live in it.

[@Jenifer_G]

Hope life changes for the better, at least put name down for emergency public housing. Try the local MP.

[@nicole-uo9cd]

Joe, you are lucky that you are young. I am 61 and not in the best of health, making living in my car more difficult. Time is not on my side. The people that bought the apartment building (the purchase was made final in June) raised ALL of our rents 100%. I have been here since 2008 and I can no longer afford to live here. Too be perfectly honest though, I would rather NOT have those greedy motherf*ckers as my landlords...

[@janewhite8188]

This breaks my heart, my mum has worked her butt off her whole life full time nurse, still working 5 nights a week at 65, and can no longer afford to pay the mortgage due to the interest rate increase.

[@signalfire6691]

Full time nurses make over $50 an hour...

[@janewhite8188]

@@signalfire6691 haha no they don’t! 😂

[@signalfire6691]

@@janewhite8188 There's lots of 'nurses' but a real RN makes very good money. A traveling RN can make over $100 an hour in the States. A nurse's aide (little more than a maid) makes less but still, 40 years of employment should make someone financially stable. And if your mortgage 'increased' then you had an adjustable rate mortgage which is just dumb.

[@janewhite8188]

@@signalfire6691 if only life was as easy as your narrow mind! But it’s not, my mum left our financially abusive alcoholic father and didn’t take cent she only took us 3 kids, so at the age of 43 years old to start from scratch again, from renting a home for us until she saved enough to get a deposit for purchase her own home at almost 50 and still raise and provide for your kids so they don’t miss out is amazing.

[@janewhite8188]

So please take you’re ‘$50 an hour ‘financially stable’ comments elsewhere 🫡

[@Hexcaliblur83]

Unfortunately its not just older women.. it has become normalised.. 🤷

[@stevenmartin6271]

lol, exactly. the oldies need 100m2 each minimum

[@stevenmartin6271]

@@JakeDemuss90214 lol - well I’ve made over $1m and still don’t think I can afford kids. My house is 70m2. My hallways are far from. I do have unlimited water tho which is a blessing.

[@stevenmartin6271]

Haha, yeh. Oath....my 30m2 car garage isn't a garage...its a wood work shed. And it is rural.@@JakeDemuss90214

[@chrishiggens9225]

I have been sharing all my life,am male and would prefer to live alone. Preferring to live alone isn't exclusive to older women.

[@sallyleichhardt2155]

I'm 54 and am also part of this demographic, at risk of having to revert back to share housing, after having done so into my mid 30's. I then decided to work 2 jobs for many years, rather than live with random people and have little to no privacy. Now rents are increasing above wage growth, it is becoming unaffordable to live alone. I am too burnt out to take on a second job again at my age, I just don't have the stamina anymore! I somehow need to increase my income 25% or consider sharing to cover the inflationary rise in the cost of living. My biggest mistake was not partnering up when I was younger, you need to either have been born wealthy, have an above average salary or be part of a couple to have a decent standard of living in Australia these days. If you are an average earning single, you will struggle. It's really frightening. I feel for anyone in the same situation. We need to cut immigration, until we can house our own Citizens. The Albanese government seems hellbent on opening the borders, to our detriment.

[@user-fed-yum]

Well said

[@andrewthomson6851]

Yes, the ABC doesn’t care about rampant immigration and foreign people buying housing. I live in Sydney and it’s terrible living at nearly 70 years old with overseas students. Unfortunately I’d be homeless if I left here. It’s a both gender problem. Albanese is hellbent on leaving us without homes. I hate Labor!

[@user-fed-yum]

@@andrewthomson6851 This has nothing to do with the ABC. This has nothing to do with Labor. All the political parties are the same on immigration and population explosion, it's how they have managed their "economic growth". This is happening all around the western world. Have you seen Italy? But I agree that population growth needs to stop. Completely. Everywhere. Buts it's ok, nature will do it for us, just not in an organised fashion.

[@nevilleabbott2330]

If you're single at this current time , you have no chance

[@lynettepettitt655]

Getting a partner isn't a retirement plan. I knew at 16 I wanted to own my own home. I've never earned a lot, but I'll be mortage free before 60. But I've been more frugal than many my own age. One issue brought up in this video is around home owners have housemates. The government penalises anyone who rents out a room in their own home as they see it as income, rather than subsidising costs. That is an issue for non-pensioners as well, but is a significant deterrent for home ownering pensioners' house sharing

[@alyssaoconnor]

I understand that some people find it hard to share a space with others but I actually think sharing accommodation is a great idea especially for the older generation it was quite often this way in the past and for good reason eg kids move in with you or you with them or siblings/friends move in with one another. There are many health benefits to be had but it needs to be a stable housing situation. I’ve seen many widows fade away living by themselves and not for expense reasons but because it is a massive transition that many find hard to adapt to. Its very interesting that our culture has changed (in basically one generation) to expect anything different. Great work by the woman who started the Facebook group to find like minded older roommates.

[@aidanmcparland6853]

I agree, although I feel terrible for these women who've had to do it because there're no other options. If things get better, I hope we might reconsider our emphasis on solitary living.

[@alyssaoconnor]

@elizabethhalasz361 Of course it is but that doesn’t mean that its a bad thing. Widows often opened boarding houses to strangers as an income in the past, the issue is the sense of individualistic entitlement, lack of social skills development and fear of our own society. There are some wonderful people looking to rent rooms and wonderful people who have rooms to rent but are scared.

[@breesullivan9223]

@alyssaocoonor sounds to me like someone’s POV who has had a whole lot of education and not much personal experience in this situation. As someone who IS both educated and has had personal experience … forgive me if I am wrong, because only you know that truth of that. Times are extremely difficult for alot of the population right now and sorry but it does NOT just boil down to those 3 bracket criteria’s you forementioned. … 1. Entitlement 2. Lack of Social Skills 3.( I got so bored I tuned out …) if you’ve only had the education and not the experience please don’t comment … it’s not helpful

[@alyssaoconnor]

@@breesullivan9223 I grew up in a tin shack in severe poverty with neglectful parents in Australia, I started working at age 13 and moved out of home when I was 15, worked two jobs and put myself through school, I’ve had absolutely nothing but the clothes on my back more then once so please kindly Kma. When you have NOTHING and NO ONE - sharing a house with someone means sweet fa but yeah it takes getting to that point before the entitled will get it.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

I don't think I could stand living with someone at my age. I was little more than a Slave for 45 years. Now I want to be free and enjoy the little time I have left.

[@joannabusinessaccount7293]

This is why children need to start preparing to be completely debt free, mortgage free, and financially secure by 50. People think they can work till 67, but most people don’t realize that their brain and body start to slow down at 50.

[@alyssaoconnor]

I would say it happens before 50 for most people unless you have a cushy office job. I’m 42, have worked in the tourism and childcare sector for 30 years and about to have surgery for a bung shoulder that will never be full time work fit, it’s worse again for tradies.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Children will do what their parents teach them to do. My parents taught me absolutely NOTHING! That's why I'm one step away from being homeless. But I will never live on the streets to be raped and abused (got enough of that at home). I will take my own life before that happens.

[@peterkoulogeorgiou9255]

I agree with you the age thing

[@joannabusinessaccount7293]

@@Peekaboo-Kitty absolutely agree, my parents taught us to work hard, work hard, and work harder - until you are old and then you can retire and enjoy a few years and die. The problem is their parents didn’t teach them much either. Generational wealth starts with generations ago. Knowledge is power, education from grandparents is powerful. I will teach my children to start accumulate wealth as early as possible because after 40-50, you will wish you had built enough of wealth to retire at 50.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

@@joannabusinessaccount7293 That's the way to go! Work Smart not hard. They will always remember you with fond memories.

[@EZ-df1cm]

Was there some mistake here? It's not like ABC to allow comments.

[@auroralights2759]

Why are all Australians news channels turn off their comments section? I think it is weird that they don't want to hear what people are thinking.

[@doodlegassum6959]

@@auroralights2759 because hilarity ensues

[@MissFoxification]

@@auroralights2759 laws changed regarding moderation. For many outlets it's just easier to block comments than to moderate or possibly deal with legal ramifications for certain content.

[@auroralights2759]

@@MissFoxification But that makes nobody can say anything about it. I like my freedom of speech and it kinda feels like they are shutting us down this way.

[@MissFoxification]

@@auroralights2759 kind of yeah. The laws went in the wrong direction and now outlets are scared of being sued, so they just block interaction.

[@sjdtmv]

So men never suffer skyrocketing rental costs?, I find this article very one gender sided.

[@user-kf1lk5wm1h]

Yep its a gender biased ABC. Only women ever have bad things happen to them.

[@jpgrygus]

its the ABC remember....feminist run media.

[@sasfishadventures9729]

Its pushed everyone to share bro

[@alexwilder8315]

Millennials watching this like 😏😆😆🫠🫠😖😖😩😩🫣

[@mtaylor8387]

Let this be a lesson to younger women to take finances seriously, prioritise it early on. To earn and save your own money. Never rely on your male partner.

[@johney3734]

it will not matter young ppl can not own a home...

[@dclax77]

Younger women should be prudent with their spending however, younger women also have Super if they've worked (Middle aged-older women may not have accrued that much due to when it was introduced).

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Yeap. True that and frankly, we're sick of paying for the lot too you're all adults and you have all the rights so off to work you go. Here's half the bill too. Now best of luck out there in the real world.

[@grooviechickie]

@dclax77 many women don't have enough super because the way it is set up is discriminatory. Linking it to paid work is the problem because women do the vast majority of the world's unpaid work (raising children, caring for ageing parents and so on). Also we don't accrue as much super as men because we work in lower-paying jobs.

[@bernadetteapps9303]

Yes.

[@janesouthon3991]

I was homeless for 6 months. I spent a week in shared accommodation only to find out he had secret cameras all over the house and would watch me from work. I ended up staying with my ex husband for a few months before finding accommodation in a boarding house. I had lost my job, my car blew up the next day and had to put all my possessions in storage after a no-fault eviction. Storage fees were horrendous at $300 month for a 3 by3m space. I lost my 25 year career in hospitality management during covid and ended up working at Subway with kids. I’m 53yo and starting all over again from nothing. It’s been heartbreaking and taken a terrible toll on my mental health. I am all alone with nobody to help me. Some days I just don’t want to go on. My little room is my sanctuary now and I look after the young students in the other rooms. Never thought I’d be in this position at this stage of life. I live on porridge mostly but at least I have a roof over my head and good house mates. And many health problems to deal with….medicine or food some weeks.

[@Jenifer_G]

Hope life gets better for you and there are some charities can supply food.

[@heartthehorse]

Unfortunately issues always matter more (or get more attention) when it's women who suffer, even though they disproportionately affect men more, homelessness and suicide being two glaring issues.

[@resolecca]

Two things can be true at once, whataboutism never helped anyone

[@PeterBrasso]

⁠@@resolecca Unfairness and unequal press never helped either !

[@resolecca]

@PeterBrasso how is highlighting this issue unfair? They can do a story about male hiomelesss, and unlike some i won't cry about it because, I don't like whataboutism. In most cases whataboutism is dangerous and helps no-one, because instead of fighting the issues at hand, you are now saying what about me, and fighting the other side, very dumb idea

[@neilc4544]

It's just the start. Things will go south from here. We are exactly copying CANADA's footsteps. We are not producing much, and real estate has become our second economy. Govt will not address this as landlords are running the country. IT'S NOT A SUPPLY ISSUE, ITS AN AFFORDABLITY ISSUE‼️

[@johney3734]

100% our pollys are landlords... there is a ruling class and servants.. i wish i lived in the hey day of democracy when it was still working and not just another form of dictatorship

[@Him_He_Me]

Being a trans-man, lm over 55, lm working at the moment, and even now lm struggling to keep a car, fuel and repairs, a roof over my head, food and clothing. l have my trans-health needs as well. lm one pay week away from homelessness, and l like the contents of my house. What happens to all my stuff if l become homeless thru being poor.??? The Government seems to be unwilling to help it's citizens that helped build this country. l am paying back the student loans l had for study, l make $600 per week, my rent is $425 per week. That leaves me $175 for food, and all the other little things l have coming out of my pay, like $20p/w power, gas, water, bond (when the rent goes up, we also have to top up our bond....that was an extra $200 for me on top of the rent increase). lts criminal. l dont know what lm gona do when my kids move out.

[@thebigslicedcheese3867]

What did you build that made the country great? States/govt/etc will never truly care about individuals unless they stand out.

[@Savage15767]

These people need to align their expectations with their reality

[@jeanrichardson2044]

Which people.? I think you will find that the women interviewed live very prudently. All people should be entitled to live in warm, comfortable homes in their older years and not be afraid of homelessness. That is their expectation. For women of their age group it was not expected for many of them to work when their children were young, often they missed out on educational opportunities and they were employed in low paid jobs. The reality is they are being priced out of the owning and rental markets and their incomes are low and finite.

[@leedang1977]

Wondering if the government would engage with 3D-printed houses; it's definitely cheaper than the standard builds.

[@jip230]

I don't think the home build is the real problem, it's the lack of land and zoning that is the real issue. Australia has a lot of land, but much of it is uninhabitable. People want to live in these major cities, but the city is only so big and zoned for certain properties that somethings got to give. Unfortunately, it's price

[@davidvanderklauw]

Government wants a shortage of housing. Govt cronies are profiting from the shortage, and voters keep electing the shortage-creators. Why spoil it with more housing?

[@loumullen614]

Men face the same problems.

[@angelaballard3929]

Yes, though not at the same scale re numbers impacted

[@loumullen614]

I worked with community health care & homeless people shelters was frequented with mainly male occupants looking for a bed shower and hot meal.@@angelaballard3929

[@chrishiggens9225]

The rental situation in Australia is dire. And I support the message in this video. But I take issue with the ABC and Sydney Morning Herald. For the last few years they have constantly ran articles about female homelessness, and the trouble women have renting etc. But its always only about the problems of women. Its as if men don't face a similiar situation. Yet the the ABC likes to think it is fair and unbiased on issues of sex ect . If you chase up the data on this situation the situation with men is much the same. But it doesn't pull at our heart strings. A man living on the street is a bum , a women on the street is a tragedy or victim . I am facing the same rental challenge, and wonder where I will end up. Being male, in my 60s, had ill health for years untill age 48, never earned much, and hence saved . I just wish the media, along with the government would be a little less biased and deal with the whole issue.

[@DianneRussell-jb5le]

I know what this lady is talking about when she said she has lost 6 kilos lately. I went 11 solid days without food. I was lucky that I had a container of salt to keep my electrolytes up and a little honey in a jar and teabags. I just had to count down the days till my next payday. My life consists of being trapped in my rental flat with my internet for entertainment. I have no family or no friends and I am so poor that I can’t afford a bus trip into town. I don’t drink or smoke or gamble or run a car. The only enjoyment I get is my internet, music and going for a walk. I would be better off in prison, at least you have a permanent roof over your head and three square meals a day. I think I’ll become a serial killer, and go out with a bang.

[@Kris82aus]

I have volunteered at a food bank they don't judge anyone completely opposite they will give you as much food as you can carry and if that not much they will deliver it to you if necessary reach out many great people waiting to help no one in Australia should go hungry. And for a bus fare I drive a bus and we can not refuse a passenger just say sorry and walk on we understand. If you can walk talk your better off then some it could always be worse. You got this stay strong. I had no friends was out of work so volunteered to make friends and it was great.

[@jip230]

I am sorry to hear about your situation and agree that food banks are available for situations like this. No one should ever have to go 11 days without food

[@alyssaoconnor]

@@Kris82ausAbsolutely! There are many people out there that will help if you put yourself out there and anyone can choose to help others.

[@nevilleabbott2330]

You should get a dog to keep you company

[@fishman649]

You should look for solutions that work for everyone. It seems that this generation wants everything without giving up anything.

[@tgreen6077]

Absolutely putrid 💯

[@mikecarroll4735]

We need to keep families together, extended families work for the young & the old. Like things used to be - family first

[@mokhachoka2918]

This doesn't fit with capitalism

[@user-go2st5fi9w]

​@@mokhachoka2918 No. Does not fit in with Liberalism. Wake up.

[@alyssaoconnor]

I totally agree even if parents broke up, people used to have an extended group of grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousin’s, family friends and siblings that they would spend time with on a weekly basis - Now its more common to only see those family members a couple of times a year if at all. Everyone is losing the safety net of extended family and it shows.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

What happens if you don't have any family and are all alone as I am?

[@BrianKitching-wv5nh]

​@alyssaoconnor I agree.

[@petertullemans]

The golden girls in Florida seems to have it all they even made a comedy series to show case how much they were having!

[@belindaweber7999]

I've had to share my whole adult life, I'm now 46yrs old and fluked my current sharehouse which is great, but if I'm lucky I'll be able to be here 4yrs max - then who knows!?! I've got an old Toyota campervan that I'm trying to maintain asy final housing safety net and likely where I'll pass away due to no longer being able to afford meds let alone any real care if my health continues to decline. Australia the lucky country - not any more.

[@Jenifer_G]

When one is in a situation like you at.present, then Australia us not so good. Hang onto your van as then u will always have a roof over your head. Good if u can use someones backyard to stay.

[@venanziorusso3403]

Have we forgotten men still live in australia also

[@angelaballard3929]

Fella, the issue is much more severe for older women as an age and gender cohort. This is demographics pure and simple

[@davidvanderklauw]

Government has allowed extra people to come in faster than government allows extra housing to be built. This mismatch between demand and supply has created a shortage of housing. A shortage of housing means that, mathematically, some people must miss-out on independent housing. eg they must share or be homeless. The mechanism by which some people are forced to miss-out on independent housing is price. For example, if government brings in 2500 extra families (say 5000 people) and government allows only 1800 extra houses to be built, then 700 more families must miss-out. This could take the form of 1400 families sharing one house between two families. We could say that government policy has forced 1400 families into share housing. The price mechanism will do this. Price will go up such that 1400 families can no longer "afford" independent housing and can now only "afford" shared housing. These simple facts are often misunderstood by people who blame price, not the underlying government-caused shortage. These people think that if somehow extra money can be given to the people who currently cannot afford housing, then all people could afford housing without extra housing actually being built. This is nonsense. If you want to immigrate an extra 500,000 people then you must build 250,000 extra houses and build extra hospitals, schools, roads and rail. If it either that or falling living standards and unaffordable housing. This video explains how government plans to build 30,000 new affordable homes over the next 5 years. The problem is that "According to the June quarter national accounts, Australia’s population grew by a record 626,000, driven by net overseas migration of around 500,000". Our government expects voters to believe that 30,000 homes over 5 years will be enough to house 500,000 immigrants per year. No doubt many voters will believe this to be true and will re-elect our government. Landlords will be pleased too by the extra rent they collect.

[@thebigslicedcheese3867]

I'd say it's a societal failure, corporate greed and poor foresight. But 'we' did vote/aim for this result. People have been saying this is how it'd end up 40/50 years ago.

[@PS-Straya_M8]

What a sad world we now live in. Wow Australia used to be such an amazing country, what happened!?

[@davidvanderklauw]

Government created a shortage of housing, and we keep voting them back into power.

[@miriamwells35]

WW2… scared the crap out of everyone

[@db7084]

Government and big business started colluding to steal every penny that they judged people had 'spare'... squeezing every last drop...

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Very Bad Government that didn't care about the Australian people.

[@angelaballard3929]

Conservative Howard govt that went full throttle on dividing the nation through the tax system. The housing system benefits the haves, to the unending detriment of those who do not

[@ohdearearthlings1879]

It usually takes a couple to buy a home. It only takes a divorce to lose it. No smoking, no drinking and own home make retirement on the pension quite achievable. Vege gardening also helps.

[@janesouthon3991]

Possums eat anything I plant in my vegetable garden!

[@ohdearearthlings1879]

@@janesouthon3991 Do not despair. Possums are very edible. They are harder to skin than a rabbit. For hunting weapons a stout stick, several large rocks and a ruthless pursuit get the job done. Focus on the head, so that the meat is not damaged.

[@joebloggs6131]

Homelessness IS the diminishing number of people per household. Australia has about 10 Million residential dwellings. The average number per dwelling has fallen by 0.2 on average, creating 200,000 people without a roof. Should that number reduce by another 0.1, that'll be another 100,000. Australia is wealthy, and it is affluence that drives the crisis - too many people saying "I want my own place" when there isn't enough for even 40% of people to say this.

[@davidvanderklauw]

A simple shortage of basic homes is to blame. Lone rich people in Mansions is no excuse to choke the supply of decent housing for the poor. Drop the sophistry.

[@joebloggs6131]

@@davidvanderklauw Devide the population by 2.3 - that is how many homes that you need. 2.3 persons per house is a "family unit" demographically. This country where I live is 2.1 persons per house, so there are homeless people numbering a couple of hundred thousand on any given day/night. To simply say "build more homes" is too simplistic and would encourage the average number to drop further to two or below two, still a fight to secure a house for yourself versus the mum or dad from an unhappy marriage deciding they'd like to live separately and to take on yet another premises.

[@tahliamobile]

Economic segregation is the number one issue in Australia. Elderly people, youth, single parents and people with disabilities are all being pushed into rural areas or higher occupancy living arrangements.

[@jeffreystorer4966]

Up side,one more empty house to sell to migrants , flying in first class ,

[@jeffreystorer4966]

@@JakeDemuss90214 watch any house auction see who wins the bid , lackey for overseas investment buyers , Govt don't give Visa to poor bricklayers

[@dclax77]

I feel sorry for these women; they may not have much compulsory Super to fall back on (or they maybe not old enough to draw it out). When I was a kid, old retired people usually left a place like Sydney to live in a regional/country town (no old people seem to do that anymore). The regions need better healthcare, transport links and cheaper housing while the cities need more housing and cheaper childcare (this probably keeps oldies in the cities looking after grandkids so Mumma can work along with better healthcare).

[@spitlim]

I don't feel much compassion when I see their rented homes... much nicer looking than my home which i own.

[@lis819]

Too right. I agree. Living in the lap of luxury compared to my owned but almost derelict home - and one of them can afford to own two dogs!

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

But at least your home is YOURS! I would live in a Garage if it was mine and didn't need to spend 60% of my DSP on Rent. And as for Pets, I need my Cats for my mental health. Without them there would be no reason to go on.

[@timallan6383]

Do men have to share also??????????

[@betsiemathews7934]

I now live in my motorhome, the best solution to this housing crisis!

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

What happens if you are too sick to drive?

[@mavisthecat2270]

what a crook of crap, they say they have kids. Why don't they live with their kids? Expect the government to pay their way

[@anonmouse15]

The kids are also homeless.

[@melusine826]

Tiny homes!!!

[@luns486]

Yeeeesssss

[@AthyDuGard]

But how does a pensioner even afford one of those? I'm totally supportive of the tiny house movement, I don't need much space. As long as I can keep my small dog with me. But it seems to still be a solution for the privileged.

[@lisawanderess]

@AthyDuGard and most councils prohibit people renting out land to a tiny home so unless you own your own land that's not really a solution either!

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Do you seriously believe the Government wants to solve the homeless problem? Of course not! They have deliberately created this situation all around the World.

[@sandponics]

The greed of landlords is driving many Australians into poverty, and the worst offenders are the politicians such as Albo who often own multiple rental properties. The politicians care only about themselves and their pensions and perks, and not about ordinary Australians or new immigrants.

[@michaelmallal9101]

I don't wanna share except with my numerous wives; my wife says I'm very stubborn.

[@johnbroadway4196]

From our rising economy, and housing it's no wonder that Older people are being FORCED into choosing what is important, Food housing. And Medications. And for those who are young and cannot see their future ? One day, it'll hit you. As we are just old to you, OUR VOICES are only the truth of your future.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Well John, you lived through the most prosperous time humanity has experienced. I'm in my thirties, on top of a cost of living crisis, and going into a long economic contraction phase (because demographics) and I'm VERY busy setting up for retirement. I know I have only 30 years and how it little time that is. Maybe you should've done that too. You csn bet your ass I'm hiding my miney else they take MY STUFF to pay for your failure. Not gonna happen John... Not gonna happen. You guys can pay for yourselves just like everyone else.

[@anonmouse15]

​@@mysterioanonymous3206Agreed, if you somehow failed at being a Boomer, there was no hope for you in the first place.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

I've cut down on my Medication. If I die, I don't care anymore. Life is nothing but suffering anyway.

[@raggedblossom508]

Sharing a rental can either go brilliantly or disastrously. But ultimately it's still renting, a precarious form of housing in these times. Women - and men - need security of tenure in their older years.

[@nneisler]

An aged pensioner in your flat will drive you nutz

[@kathymorris4553]

All of us single older women need to get room mates. It’s better than being on the street. We have no choice.

[@electricalengineer6502]

Strong and Independent.

[@shantishanti1949]

Why did you not mention rental $$$$ I really waned to get an idea of the costs Social housing needs to be built urgently very urgently

[@zeyalt8127]

“Oh ffs cry me a river, we live in a capitalist society. They should be lucky to live in this country” some politician probably

[@donnasmith1268]

Social housing is still given to the wrong people, people who make bad decisions then force their situations on the government to support them. The aging people are ignored in this country

[@Jean-nr5ch]

They get priority housing actually

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

@@Jean-nr5ch Battered women with children are given priority over everyone.

[@Jean-nr5ch]

@@Peekaboo-Kitty They get it over mental illness and disability. This group has no where to go but ndis homes. So stop complaining about families getting placed first.

[@shelbynamels7948]

sounds like the makings of a sit-com. we could call it the "'golden girls", or something like it.

[@portiagriffey4403]

Having just watched an article on loneliness, perhaps sharing is the happy answer.

[@debbieframpton3857]

People are responsible for their own happiness you can't depend on someone else to make you happy

[@Stella-iy4zf]

Shame on successive governments

[@user-hb8lm5ex8f]

Shared accommodation is the only way to go for elderly people.

[@tokyoknight6676]

They grew up in the easiest time to buy a house and don't have one by retirement? I have no sympathy.

[@doodlegassum6959]

Vote Green. Soylent Green

[@johney3734]

why not what have we got to lose... the system is not working for me why should i vote to sustain it

[@BronsonTheCat]

It’s a common problem especially for older women who haven’t worked all their lives.

[@resolecca]

Who said they haven't worked??

[@resolecca]

@@JakeDemuss90214 I can read but clearly you can't comprehend. I was asking a rhetorical question, as those women did work. but congrats on the self-own buddy

[@user-kf1lk5wm1h]

More men than women are homeless. But we're not allowed to talk about that, due to the gender bias at the ABC.

[@Rockiefocuss]

Based on the increasing issues of STA properties (made available by Airbnb and other platforms) being used as unregulated party venues we are requesting that owners and residents should be granted the right to decide over their own building. Leading tourist destination around the world and Australia, including NYC, Amsterdam, Paris, Florence, Mornington Shire, Byron Bay and many others, have already taken drastic steps to curb these issues, while Victoria still have the weakest laws in Australia when it comes to controlling STA. The current state laws are inadequate, no host have been fined or suspended

[@JeffDayz]

Is it easy for foreigners to rent a house in Sydney / Melbourne?

[@steph4922]

It's no big deal. Mum has always had one or 2 uni students stayed in our house to help with expwnses even when we were growing up. Living in your own home is a luxury and frankly a bit wasteful.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

How is living in your own home wasteful? That doesn't even make any sense!

[@steph4922]

@@Peekaboo-Kitty , because the rooms are just sitting there not being used. If you're wealthy and can afford it then it's fine. But government funding shouldn't be providing say, one person then allocating them a place that is 2 or 3 bedrooms.

[@garethjd78]

Their places look amazing.

[@deedenny-townsend2914]

I have to share with my sons dad!!!! Neither of us can afford to live on our own. I don’t like it but what can I do?

[@andrewjones2155]

What a shame this is happening in the lucky country!

[@NicholasNerios]

That's the wealthy property investors plan. Can as many people into one home as possible then jack the costs up. Only wealthy deserve to own land.... That's our freedom.

[@ligbzd837]

What's pathetic is that all the years of raising kids, where are the adult kids in this picture? No space for mama to move in? Adult kids rather let their mama struggle in old age than to take them in and care for them. What about relatives? Are any of them going to help? It makes you wonder why have kids at all??!? WHy have relatives at all? They call themselves family, but what will they do for you when you really needed them??? Family? What family???

[@user-jk8kn3ij8o]

Shared housing is not at all any part of the Australian dream.

[@edhuber3557]

1:20 Disability recipient claiming she worked all her life. More than likely not.

[@randicook15]

Blackstone!

[@adminaccounts807]

Overpriced homes fir the quality they are build

[@recalcitrantrecidivist5927]

See what 9 yrs of LNP govts does?

[@doodlegassum6959]

These people are older than 9 years

[@organicod2438]

​@@doodlegassum6959True! They probably also lived during the Howard era too! You know, the guy who started inflating the housing market bubble?

[@doodlegassum6959]

​@@organicod2438probably Gough Whitlam and beyond

[@organicod2438]

@@johncrow5552 Or they did and they lost it. Why should it be based on whether or not someone has a certain amount of money at a certain time in their life that they can have a roof over their head and a place to call their own? There are plenty of properties in Australia held by people who already own a house depriving others a safe place for their own financial gain. Some properties far exceed their utility, and for what?

[@anonmouse15]

Any political party knows that appeasing property owners at all costs and at everyone else's expense is THE way to win elections. All other considerations are minor technicialities.

[@s55558]

Why aren’t the kids helping out if my parents where homeless they would be back with me

[@talltrees358]

This has been building for a long time .Only get worse.

[@JimJones-gd2jy]

House full of old ladies, cats and boxed wine. no thank you

[@Silversolstice548]

Sounds like a nice retirement tbh

[@signalfire6691]

If your money is tight, avoid wine and pets.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

@@signalfire6691 Pets are required for good mental health. Without my pets I would have no reason to go on.

[@johnleca]

so

[@BufordTGleason]

Logical progression, soon we will be sharing cars until that becomes prohibitive. It will be dangerous to grow old during the next decade or so as non-contributing members of society,

[@a7128]

women could set up an only fans account and never be homeless again

[@jonh9561]

No documentaries on how men are dealing with homelessness, but then, who cares.

[@adampedley3534]

This is what happened due to decades of labour liberal economic mismanagement

[@waitawhileexplorer3904]

Excessive immigration has created this problem and continues to do so.

[@quwipyui6519]

Australia is probably the worst slavery country on the globe absolutely cruel

[@mickzammit6794]

From a financial and mental wellbeing point of view it could end up a good thing. It's just a shame most of these women would prefer independence.

[@signalfire6691]

They don't seem to have ever seen Golden Girls, or had one friend who they could quietly live with. Maybe consider your personality issues if no one wants to live with you, even if it meant saving money.

[@steph4922]

Yes, I agree. It's better to live with someone else rather be alone every day in and out esp when it's also sharing costs.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Why would anyone prefer to live with total Strangers? And then you have to answer their questions all the time and share your food ... No thanks!

[@mickzammit6794]

@@Peekaboo-Kitty for some it's a matter having to. It's that or skid row.

[@steph4922]

@@Peekaboo-Kitty , If I'm old and by myself, I won't mind having a house mate after vetting the person, or say, go halves with the person in rent if both renting. I like talking to people and having another person around to go out to dinner with. And help each other out occasionally. Like if she needs a drive to the hospital or I need a person etc. this will keep living costs down too! Why not.

[@markohart691]

Current BOM warning flood watch.

[@signalfire6691]

All these women don't have a single friend they could team up with???? You can make a bedroom out of a living room or even a garage. You can share a bedroom. You can share a car, too. Your main expenses are the roof over your head, the utilities and transportation and you don't seem able to get along with ONE OTHER PERSON??

[@lisaknowles15]

It’s illegal in some states to live in a garage,Qld is one of those states

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Share a bedroom? You must be joking! So you need to dress and undress in front of a total stranger? NEVER!

[@warrenmaker798]

We have our Labor Gov't immigration policy to thank for this.

[@ohdearearthlings1879]

Yes, but Scottie was as bad. John Howard was catastrophic on quality.

[@JeffDayz]

Why not buy a house in the first place ?

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

Well DUH ... Why do you think?

[@angelaballard3929]

You're speaking from your male privilege there fella

[@JeffDayz]

@@angelaballard3929 I'm not even mentioning any sex in the first place. They could have bought houses when it was much cheaper and affordable years back. All the rental paid could go towards paying for equity instead

[@samiselim]

Blame albo , who ever voted for labor deserve this , this man is the disaster for Australia , he is destroying the Australian economy, and its living standard

[@christopheryoung3850]

Rubbish, this an issue about increasing lack of affordable housing, which has been a problem that's been growing since at least the days of the Howard Government and both political parties have failed to do anything significantabout it. Apart from trying to kick the can down the road until now, where it has become a major issue due global inflationary factors, an aging population and the requirement to keep immigration high to maximise our economic output.

[@MissFoxification]

We have been in housing crisis for decades, so Albo is a time travelling PM and went back in time to screw up the housing market? Come on..

[@anastasiabeaverhausen5467]

There has been a housing shortage for decades, mostly under Liberal govts.

[@mistressofstones]

We were already having a housing crisis here before covid, we had a tent city in the showgrounds in Hobart at one stage. Albo didn't make this situation but he does have to fix it now.

[@damienbarton3910]

2015 tent city (Sydney) and a mattress in every back ally.. Problems been around for some time. You just haven’t been paying attention. Homelessness in this country is a national shame, all areas of politics have to wear it.

[@Daniel-xaogjeyh]

lol, they shouldn't have blew all their money, men wouldn't do that in general

[@db7084]

*rolls eyes* Statistically there are more men homeless than women. And the number one cause of homelessness for women and children is domestic violence, not blowing their money. Don't you feel like a bit of a fool now?

[@stevenmartin6271]

Oldies have had it too good for too long haha. At least they have a dining room table ya know.

[@oliverguidetti7569]

Okay boomer

[@johney3734]

can we give them any extra stuff? they are more rich than we will ever be for doing less work and they destroyed the earth for all of us in one human life span

[@avianavenger7822]

Welcome to the real world, did you enjoy being able to live alone in the first place?

[@johney3734]

yes that should be the story.. they had it good for so long and the young will never know that dignity

[@1lorijb]

Remember Biden and the Democrats love you😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dodgeboy9052]

These woman would maybe be safe n secure ..think of how many men you knocked back for a dance and the ones you refused a date with...good luck. I am very secure. and married to a wonderful Chinese lady ..I call her my Chinese guide ..

[@damienbarton3910]

Haha still salty! Don’t worry pal you dodged a bullet, imagine what their husbands put up with and now they can’t find anyone suitable to share with… RIP you poor souls.

[@dodgeboy9052]

@@damienbarton3910 😃cheers ..you sound a nice lady...😄😄😄😄