John Ward is a semi-retired geriatricina and one of the founding members of the Hunter Ageing Alliance (HAA) which aims to make Newcastle and Lake Macquarie into age-friendly cities. One of the strategies of HAA is housing and John convened the Housing for Older Persons Project (HOPP) in 2021. HOPP facilitated a meanwhile use project for 22 women, run by Pacific Link Housing and obtained the money to commence Hunter Homeshare, run through Embrace People and Place. HOPP is trying to change the regulations to make dual occupancy easier and is developing church land into 18 housing units for older women. The lack of real progress in housing over the last four years has convinced HOPP that a Local Housing Plan is required. John was the 2024 NSW Senior Australian of the Year.