This research report by the national housing charity Threshold and ALONE reports on a study examining the housing needs, experiences and wellbeing of older people (55+) renting in Ireland’s private rental sector (PRS). As part of this research, interviews with representative older renters in the private rental sector were completed as well as an analysis of the RTB dataset.
The findings indicate that 42% of older people face significant stress from renting in the private sector due to concerns about the instability of their housing. More than half of the participants were receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and 17% reported that landlords were either hesitant or outright refused to accept HAP. The report highlights exceptionally high levels of vulnerability among this group, with insecure housing being compounded by other issues such as advanced age, health conditions, family circumstances, and low income
Policy and legislative recommendations are offered in the report to ensure older people can live in safe, affordable, and suitable housing as they age. Threshold and ALONE provided twelve key recommendations to ensure the private rental sector becomes an appropriate housing option for older and ageing renters.
These recommendations, as well as recommendations for the provision of alternative forms of housing to meet people’s needs as they age, include:
· Ensuring adequacy of the State Pension.
· Increase ring-fencing of social housing for older people.
· Ensuring higher compliance levels with Accommodation Quality Standards in the private rental sector.
· Developing, investing in and evaluating promised housing models inclusive of supports, particularly via Approved Housing Bodies.
· Establishing a distinct unit to address the housing needs of older people across the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Health.
The overarching conclusion of this research is that, as it currently operates, Ireland’s private rental sector is not an appropriate tenure choice for ageing and older people, particularly those within the older and more infirm old age cohort. Considerable adjustments are required to ensure there is a diversity in housing options for older people in Ireland.
