Tenure Differences in Income and Housing Benefit in Later Life

Abstract

AbstractThe first half of this article examines the distribution of income among older people in different housing tenures using secondary analysis of the 1988 Family Expenditure Survey (FES). The use of the term “older household” refers to those where the head of household is aged 55 and over. Income has been adjusted in order to take account of the size and composition of elderly households. The second half of the article examines the effects on the distribution of income when the definition of income is widened to include housing benefit.In 1988 the average weekly income of older households who were owner occupiers was twice that of older households who were renters. While the addition of housing benefit to the definition of income has only a marginal effect in reducing income inequality among all older households it had a more significant impact in reducing income inequalities among older renters more of whom, in comparison to older owner occupiers, were located in the lower income groups.