Community and conflict in retirement villages

<p>Retirement villages in which older people live independently in age segregated communities have expanded as a type of housing.  They are seen by government as having health benefits for residents, and social benefits in reducing pressure on housing markets through down-sizing.  Yet there have been consumer complaints about predatory practices and calls for stronger regulation.  This paper reports initial findings from a mixed methods study commissioned by the Commonwealth government. Drawing on a survey of 800 residents, 36 interviews with residents and 10 interviews with stakeholders, it describes the appeal of community living in retirement villages, consumer complaints and disputes, stakeholder perspectives, and regulation by the state.</p>