21 April 2016.
Canberra’s housing affordability crisis looks set to continue with low income earners, young people and single parents the hardest hit, according to Anglicare’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot.
In its seventh year, the snapshot surveyed 1329 properties advertised for rent in the Canberra region on Friday 1 April in terms of affordability (up to 30 per cent of disposable income) and appropriateness to accommodate the required number of people.
Read about it in the Canberra Times: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/low-income-earners-and-single-parents-locked-out-of-canberras-rental-market-anglicare-20160420-goaips.html
The survey found there was no affordable and suitable property for anyone surviving on the Newstart or Youth allowance. For a single parent with one or more children, not one flat or townhouse was affordable and appropriate.
Anglicare Chief Executive, Jeremy Halcrow, said the ongoing undersupply of affordable rentals in the nation’s capital was cause for major concern.
“It’s tragic to see that those most vulnerable in our community – single parents and their children, those with disabilities and young people – can’t find proper housing right here in our nation’s capital. Our work with individuals and families across the community highlights the importance of a safe and affordable home for helping to ensure emotional and physical well-being,” he said.
“Investment in affordable housing is key infrastructure should be prioritised just the same as rail, schools or hospitals.”
National analysis in The Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2016/apr/21/rental-affordability-owning-a-home-is-a-fantasy-if-you-cant-afford-to-rent-one
Comparing 2015 data to 2016, there is some good news for singles on a minimum wage with 91 properties available – a significant improvement on previous years.
Families on a dual minimum wage had 81 rental options, while single parents earning a minimum wage income had no suitable options.
For Emma*, a single mother living in Canberra, the findings are no surprise.
“I left home as a teenager, so housing has always been my biggest stress. I preferred couch-surfing with friends than living in a refuge with other people and my little baby. Without the support of Anglicare, I wouldn’t have found a place to live and finish my education. I’d be working to try and pay rent, and probably getting in to debt to get loans to pay accommodation. I really wanted to finish my studies, get a job and move forward,” said Emma.
“The fact remains that low-paid and particularly part time workers are unable to afford housing in this market and are likely to have the added financial burden of childcare costs as well,” said Mr Halcrow.
Mr Halcrow fears the number of people living in poverty and crisis in Canberra will continue to rise if the issue is not addressed.
“Affordable and suitable housing is a human right that should be available to everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This study shows there is an urgent need for a new and considered approach towards funding affordable housing in Australia.”
Make housing a priority this ACT election: http://www.myvoteforhousing.com.au/
“We urge the ACT Government to increase the supply of affordable housing in the private market. At a Federal level, we believe negative gearing needs to be modified to reduce the excessive generosity towards landlords making tax deductions so that we are actually focusing negative gearing and tax policy on the affordable end of the market.”
“Benefit payments like Youth Allowance and Newstart need to be reassessed because people having to live on around $30 a day is simply not adequate.”
*name changed to protect client’s identity
