Female perspectives on housing quality and household characteristics, perceptions and challenges: Evidence from Australia

Abstract

In many societies, perceptions regarding housing and ownership rights is that it is mostly consigned to males rather than females. Housing is gendered around physical aspects, as a financial asset, and even in housing data to be a male preserve – excluding females and their perceptions. This important paper addresses this limitation in the literature by examining the views and perceptions of female participants in the Australian Housing Conditions dataset. More specifically this paper examines the significance of household structure, housing quality and characteristics of Australian woman and how it affects their financial strain. As a further dimension this paper also examines differences in women’s housing experience by age as older Australian women (above 65 years) have a higher likelihood to revert to substandard housing conditions and homelessness than younger Australian women (under 65 years). Logistic regression analysis shows a higher tendency towards financial strain in women under 65 years, those with either poor physical or mental health and those who were single or lone parents. These finding propose that women under 65 are at greater risk to experience household financial strain and poorer housing security. The paper argues that these results present challenges for Australian housing policy through increasing housing affordability. The analysis suggests that an increase in the availability of affordable housing will ease the financial strain and improve the mental health of Australian women. Moreover, an increase in the flexibility of housing arrangements may prove to be beneficial in providing additional housing solutions.

Brecha en calidad de vivienda de los indígenas en México. Perfil de los más afectados

“…Asimismo, incluimos una variable que refleja la obtención de ingresos por jubilación de al menos un miembro del hogar. La variable sexo pretende capturar las diferencias entre hombres y mujeres respecto a sus preferencias de vivienda, especialmente cuando tienen hijos (Viljoen et al, 2020). También se introduce un E-match para la edad, que refleja el ciclo de vida de las personas y se correlaciona con tener pareja o tener hijos, su edad, y con el nivel de ingresos.…”

Alternative housing models for precariously housed older Australians

“…Older single women are particularly affected due to having longer life expectancy than men and generally much lower levels of wealth in retirement (Hamilton, Hodgson et al 2020;O'Neil, Aubrecht et al 2020;Sharam 2011;Viljoen, Lowies et al 2020). Renting as an older Australian is associated with factors such as loss of a partner through divorce or widowhood, ill-health and an unstable employment history (Morris 2013;Sharam, Ralston et al 2016).…”

The home environment: influences on the health of young-old and old-old adults in Australia

“…The ENABLE-AGE study was theoretically based on the concept of P-E fit from environmental gerontology with a focus on the physical environment and therefore did not incorporate aspects of the societal environment into the model of what contributes to healthy ageing. Sociological research, however, highlights the important role of understanding the experience of home including the influence of housing affordability, tenure, social class and disability in influencing the experience of home and health of individuals (Waters, 2001; Imrie, 2004; Hulse and Saugeres, 2008; Mallett et al ., 2011; Keene and Ruel, 2013; Filandri and Olagnero, 2014; Morris, 2018; Aitken et al ., 2019; Aplin et al ., 2019; Baker et al ., 2020; Viljoen et al ., 2020). While these societal influences have been well researched with adults, there has been limited research on older adults specifically.…”