Fewer seniors own their homes

A new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows fewer older Australians own their own homes than they did a decade ago.

The number of older Australians who own their own home is on the decline.

A new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows while most people over 65 were homeowners, the proportion has dropped over the past decade - from 78 per cent in 2002 to 71 per cent in 2011.

More are renting or still paying off a mortgage.

And couples who are renting are spending almost 30 per cent of their income to put a roof over their heads.

For singles that's even higher, with about 37 per cent of income dedicated to rent.