Older renters face shorter lives, more health struggles
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New research has revealed a stark disparity in life expectancy and health outcomes between older Australian renters and homeowners, sparking calls for urgent housing policy reform.
Older Australians who rent their homes live shorter lives and spend more years in poor health compared to those who own their homes, according to a study published in BMJ Public Health. The study, led by Dr Kim Kiely from the University of Wollongong and Dr Mitiku Hambisa from UNSW, underscores the critical role of housing stability in promoting healthy ageing.
“Our new study found older Australians who rent their homes live fewer years of healthy independent living compared to homeowners,” said Dr Kiely, a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences. “It highlights a critical public health issue that needs to be addressed.”
The analysis, based on national data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, examined life expectancy and health expectancy—defined by the ability to perform daily tasks such as walking up stairs or carrying groceries. The findings revealed that renters aged 65 and older had a life expectancy of 2.3 years shorter than their homeowner counterparts.
Moreover, male renters had 1.8 fewer years of healthy living, while female renters experienced 3.1 fewer years. Alarmingly, women renters also spent more years living in poor health compared to female homeowners.
“Inequalities were greater for women than for men,” Dr Kiely added. “This supports growing concerns for precarious housing arrangements for many single women as they age.”
Dr Kiely said that housing stability is a cornerstone of healthy ageing, allowing older adults to remain engaged in their communities and live independently for as long as possible.
“Older adults express a desire to live in their own home and local community in their later years for as long as possible,” he said. “Our findings point to a need for policies that address health disparities linked to home ownership.”
The study’s findings resonate amid declining homeownership rates among younger Australians, raising fears of compounding health disparities in the future.
Dr Kiely called for the introduction of secure, affordable and safe housing options tailored to the needs of ageing Australians.
“We need to see more policies that involve the provision of secure, affordable and safe housing that enables people to remain engaged and connected in their community as they age,” Dr Kiely said. “This can help reduce burden on the health and care systems.”
Related: Retirement villages offer better quality of life for seniors
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
