There's a hidden dimension to Australia's housing crisis - the plight of older people.

The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling estimates there are 112,000 households headed by a person aged over 70 in housing stress. 

The number has doubled in just four years, making up about 10 per cent of the households paying more than 30 per cent of their income for housing. 

People in this situation sit in the cold because they can't afford power for their heaters. 

They are likely to enter government-funded residential aged care much earlier than older people in stable housing situations, earlier than what should be necessary. 

The number of people aged 65 and above in low income-rental households is expected to more than double, from 195,000 in 2001 to 419,000 by 2026. 

Many are widows. 
Most older people in Australia rely wholly or mostly on the aged pension. 

This will not change significantly over the 40 years of the Treasury's Intergenerational Review - the number of part pensioners will rise, but numbers of non-pensioners will not. 

Luxury, "lifestyle' resorts will not house a large percentage of the older population. 

Profits from such developments could subsidise housing for lower-income older people, although it is probably an unreasonable expectation for private investors. 

Older people's housing needs are different to working families. 

They may want an extra bedroom for guests (or grandkids) but smaller, homes that are easier to maintain are favoured. These should be near shops. 

They need homes with power points at reachable heights, walls strong enough for grab rails, doors wide enough for wheelchairs or frames. 

The not-for-profit Aged and Community Services Australia is a significant provider of housing. 

But a 2002 study showed that of the 35,000 independent living units federally funded up until the 1980s, a third needed renovation or redevelopment. 

One large Victorian provider without resources to redevelop old stock has stopped taking new residents. 

So, 200 units of dedicated housing for older people may soon be unavailable. The old solutions are not working. 

Exploring new models of housing for older people needs to be on our agenda. 

Already, some not-for-profit aged care groups are implementing newer models. This may include villages of units over car parks or shopping strips. 

ACSA welcomes the Rudd Government's National Rental Affordability Scheme and the National Affordable Housing Agreement. 

But these must include a focus on the housing needs of older people. 

Our members are well placed to participate if the funding is right. 

If you get the housing right, older people's need for more expensive, restrictive residential care can be reduced or at least postponed. 

Will the 50,000 units of subsidy available under the first wave of NRAS be enough? At least 12,000 should subsidise the rent of people over 65. 
The parents of Mr Rudd's working families cannot be forgotten. 

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