Housing crisis ‘brutal’ says social housing advocate

More than four in five renters are in housing stress, with homelessness the leading impact of the housing crisis, a report by national housing campaign Everybody’s Home has revealed. 

According to the advocacy group, based on surveys of almost 750 people, its Brutal Reality Report found that two thirds (67 per cent) of people are in housing stress; four in five (82 per cent) renters are in rental stress; three quarters (75 per cent) of people are scared about their financial security because of the housing crisis; and two thirds (66 per cent) of people are worried about their mental health and wellbeing.

An Everybody’s Home spokesperson said, ‘The report also surveyed housing and welfare organisations across Australia. Nine in ten (89 per cent) reported bigger and more complex workloads, while three in five (61 per cent) said their staff were experiencing burnout or leaving their roles due to the crisis’.

Spokesperson, Maiy Azize, says they are calling for more social and affordable housing for people in extreme rental stress. 

‘Our shortfall is so big that some people in our survey have been waiting for over a decade.

‘Social housing is the best way to free up cheaper rentals and boost the supply of affordable homes. The federal government must create 25,000 new homes each year to meet the social housing shortfall. 

‘Our national, state and territory leaders must work to create a better deal for renters. It’s time to end unfair rent increases and no-cause evictions for good’.

‘The federal government has to also phase out unfair tax breaks for investors. People told us they want the government to fund homes for people in need, not investment vehicles that push prices up for everyone’. 

Meanwhile, public submissions into a federal Senate inquiry into the worsening rental crisis in Australia will be extended till August 4. 

To make a submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs, email [email protected].