May 2005

Making homes safe as houses

Minister for Housing Candy Broad has urged older Victorian homeowners and those with a disability to make use of a State Government service, designed to make their homes safer.

Ms Broad joined the Royal Australian Institute of Architects at its Hawthorn office to launch Safe as Houses: A Report on Housing Conditions for Older Australians.

The report looks at health, safety and maintenance issues in the private homes of older Victorians, identifies the most common hazards and makes recommendations on how to improve home safety.

The report is based on more than 26,000 home inspections carried out over a six-year period by qualified architects from the Institute’s Archicentre advisory service and funded through the State Government’s Home Renovation Service.

‘Figures from the Monash University Accident Research Centre for 2002 show that 166 Victorians died and another 20,000 were admitted to hospital following accidents at home,’ Ms Broad said.

‘The State Government’s Home Renovation Service assists older Victorians and those with a disability to live in their own homes safely by financing Archicentre’s home inspection service and providing low interest loans to eligible Victorians to carry out needed restoration work.’

The Home Renovation Service was established in 1981 to assist older homeowners and those with a disability to live safely and independently in their own homes by looking at health and safety issues in and around the home and providing independent advice on immediate and longer-term renovation work.

Homeowners aged 60 and over as well as homeowners with a disability or those caring for someone with a disability are eligible to apply for a low interest loan to carry out repair work.

Inspections through the Archicentre are free but eligibility criteria applies to the loans scheme.

Borrowers must have no more than $30,000 in cash or liquid assets and must own their own home.

Loans are available for up to $25,000 with repayment within 15 years.

Payments range from a minimum of $20 per week and are capped at no more than 25 per cent of gross monthly income.

• Information on the free inspection service is available from Archicentre on 1300 136 513. Eligible homeowners interested in low-interest loans should contact the Office of Housing on 1800 133 324.