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The Trajectory towards Marginality: How do Older Australians find themselves Dependent on the Private Rental Market?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2012

Alan Morris
Alan Morris*
Affiliation:
The School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales E-mail: a.morris@unsw.edu.au
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Abstract

For older Australians being dependent on the private rental market is usually associated with serious financial hardship and insecurity. The article examines the housing careers of older Australians who are dependent on the private rental market. After sketching the policy context, it uses in-depth interviews and a biographical approach to explore their trajectory into the private rental market. Divorce, separation and widowhood were key factors, especially for women, as were poor employment histories and ill-health. The crucial factor was an inability to access social housing. The neglect of this housing tenure has meant that supply is very limited and it is reserved primarily for people with complex needs.

Keywords

Private rental marketolder rentershousing careershardship
Type
Articles
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 47 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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