The founding members of the Alliance are Dr John Ward, Geriatrician; Viv Allanson, CEO, Maroba Aged Care Facility; Professor Julie Byles, Global Innovation Chair in Responsive Transitions in Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle; and Catherine Henry, Health and Aged Care Lawyer and advocate. 

The Alliance is aiming to gain registration with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. The WHO identifies eight interconnected domains that enable well-being and maximise community participation among older people, one of which is housing. This has been adopted by the Alliance as a priority area, with people over 65 to soon make up 25 per cent of the Hunter region’s population. 

The Housing for Older Persons Project (HOPP) was formed to provide a focus for action on housing in the region. The project team is made up of Dr John Ward, Seema Sanghi, Kevin Fell and Kate Slatter. The team has been lobbying the Newcastle City Council, State Government and housing authorities to establish an effective planning body as well as considering options to address the housing needs of older people. The severity and complexity of the problem requires a multi-faceted approach, argues the HOPP.