A report has found increasing risks of poverty and homelessness for Australian retirees who rent.

The report found most older working Australians who rent do not have sufficient savings to keep paying rent in retirement, and that Commonwealth Rent Assistance to support pensioners is far too low.

As rates in homeownership decline, there have been calls for increased Rent Assistance to better protect older Australians during their retirement and uphold adequate standards of living, as higher rent costs are pushing retirees into poverty.

Image: Image: Shutterstock evrymmnt

Produced By: Michaela Cullen

Featured In Story: Joey Moloney – Deputy Program Director of Grattan Institute’s Housing and Economic Security Program

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 12 February 2025