As cost of living pressures continue to mount, and data showing that 20 per cent of older Australians are retiring into poverty, one aged care provider has had an overwhelming response to its affordable rental offering. Source: Aged Care Insite.
Calvary Health Care’s Sydney Williams retirement village, located in Melbourne, filled its eight one- and two-bedroom units within three days of opening.
Mark Eagleston, of Calvary’s strategic operations and performance team, said the demand for affordable living options among retirees was increasing.
“We had more than 50 enquiries in the first week alone when the units went on the market in February, and all eight units were snapped up within 72 hours of us conducting the first tour,” he said.
“The enquiry rate and response shows a shift in the needs of senior Australians, many of whom are impacted by cost-of-living and other financial pressures.
“We had a range of different people come through, some who have never owned property and always rented, and some who didn’t quite have the lump sum needed to buy into a retirement village.
“The landscape of seniors’ living is changing, and we need to be offering choice. A rental option gives people who might be struggling or dealing with changes in their life circumstances choice, dignity and a level of flexibility so that they too can have a good quality of life.”
Built alongside one of Calvary’s existing residential aged care facilities, Williams retirement village is the organisation’s first dedicated rental option for older people.
Older people are among some of the hardest hit demographics when it comes to cost-of-living pressures, leading organisations like Catholic Health Australia (CHA) to call for greater protections for older people experiencing financial hardship.
“While we welcome the reforms of the Aged Care Act, we must keep working to ensure that aged care remains accessible for everyone, not just those with the deepest pockets,” CHA chief Jason Kara said.
FULL STORY
Calvary offered affordable rentals for retirees, it was full within 72 hours (Aged Care Insite)
