New report finds Australia is lagging behind when it comes to rent and mortgage stress Homelessness Australia is urging the federal government to do more to tackle crippling housing stress, after the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report found Aussies are spending more of their disposable income on rent and mortgages compared with other OECD nations. The AIHW's biennial welfare report released today found 1 in 5, or 21%, of households in the private rental market were low-income households in financial stress. It also found 15% of households with a mortgage were low-income households in financial stress. "We know housing affordability and financial stress are major drivers of homelessness. This report also tells us homelessness levels have increased. Australians are struggling compared with other wealthy countries. It shouldn't be happening," Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said. "The AIHW report reveals thousands more people are experiencing homelessness. It also found the supply of social housing has not kept up with the increase in overall households in Australia. We need more social housing to meet demand, and we need to support those helping people facing homelessness." The AIHW report also found Australia's social rental housing stock was low compared with other countries. Based on data from the last year, Australia ranked 19th out of 31 OECD countries for relative size of social housing stock. "We are a wealthy country. We can't keep allowing families to slip through the cracks. A secure home is the foundation for physical and mental health. It allows people to build connections within their community, and meaningfully contribute to society. It's central to feeling safe," Kate Colvin said. Practical and impactful measures should include:
- preventing more people from becoming homeless in the first place by delivering early intervention programs, increased income support and more social homes
- matching rising demand for homelessness support with the resources to respond so people in need can connect with the help they need
