This country town’s helpful idea for ageing residents could be one solution to the regional housing crisis

A Riverland housing initiative is helping to free up large family homes by offering affordable housing for ageing residents.

The not-for-profit Renmark Paringa Independent Living has been operating since the 1960s and maintains more than 100 units in the region.

The organisation operates affordable and accessible homes that support individuals or couples over the age of 55 to live independently on their own.

Ellen Traeger has lived in a two-bedroom unit for a number of years, residing in a collective of similarly aged people.

Ms Traeger said she considered the move once her three children had grown up and moved out of their family home.

“[Our home] was on a bigger block,” she said.

“There was just more to do, and I’m not a great gardener, so I had to get help with that.

“And it was just a catalyst that this became available right at the time … it was just about the same design as my house but downsized and it was all set up for disability.”

One benefit for Ms Traeger was the buildings’ accessibility.

“It’s got the handrails everywhere, it’s got the higher toilets and it’s all open plan,” she said.

Forward thinking

The Renmark Paringa Independent Living organisation was established in 1961 and uses profits from the Renmark Paringa Opportunity Shop to build homes.

Chairman Peter Hunter said it was great model that opened up housing options for young families.

“Each of those houses [that are] freed up goes on the market and a family may well come in,” he said.

“So, rural towns across the country could benefit because you’ve got better accommodation, if you like, for those people in their retirement years.

“At the same time, you’re getting young people coming into the town.”

But he stressed the organisation was “not a retirement village”.

“People pay a fee up-front and if they stay over the first four years, that is all absorbed by the organisation,” he said.

“But it’s nowhere near the majority of places, which would charge hundreds of thousands of dollars to go into.”

Solving a bigger problem

Chief executive at Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland Ben Fee said the approach could be a way to help the regional housing crisis.

“They might demolish a single dwelling … then put up six units or so within that and so they get a bit of high density stuff in there,” he said.

Mr Fee said the units created an ecosystem and community that benefited the inhabitants and those around, such as local shops.

He said the way the organisation operated was an inspiring way to support the ageing population.

“The notion of the community standing up and looking after the housing side of things, but also looking after people who are retiring,” he said.

“I think there’s just so much for us to learn from that kind of community-led initiative.”