Housing affordability for Australians on low incomes in far north Queensland is declining as new data released for Anti-Poverty Week shows parents on single parent support payments and low-paid workers in the hospitality industry are among the worst impacted by soaring housing costs.
On the far north Queensland coast, single parents are required to spend 74% of their weekly payments on rent.
Everybody's Home cross-referenced SQM rental data with income profiles to find :
· Those receiving single parent support payments in Cairns (Division of Leichhardt, QLD) are spending 74% of their income on rent, while hospitality workers are having to spend 62% of their income on rent.
· On the far north Queensland coast, those receiving single parent support payments are spending 68% of their support payment on rent, while hospitality workers are having to spend 57% of their weekly wages.
The entire region saw significant increases in rental prices over the course of the last 12 months, with rents increasing a massive 21 per cent in the far north Queensland coast, and 11 per cent in Cairns.
Everybody's Home said all political parties must commit to action on housing and in particular a commitment to building social housing ahead of the next federal election.
"The Federal Government must do more to support those most vulnerable in our community, there is not enough social housing and support payments are simply too low"
Everybody's Home spokesperson Kate Colvin said.
"Expecting low-income Australians to pay more than 60% of their income on housing is unfair and not sustainable, this is a real crisis that requires urgent action."
Low support payments combined with a lack of social housing has created a ticking time bomb of social inequality. Without action now, we will see a further increase in housing stress and homelessness." Ms Colvin said.
"Housing will be a key issue across Australia at the next Federal Election. We need to see concrete plans from all candidates on what they plan to do about the out-of-control housing costs."
