It’s no surprise that times are tough for those of us who are renting private homes, particularly low-income households.

Mission Australia is urging the Government to respond swiftly. “Australia is in the midst of a housing and homelessness disaster, and governments must tackle this problem like they would for any other emergency and natural disaster – with urgency, collaboration, targeted investment and steely resolve,” Mission Australia’s CEO Sharon Callister said.

The Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government Services has confirmed that:

42.9% of low-income households currently renting private homes and receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) are experiencing rental stress and are at risk of homelessness.

34.9% of those asking for help and accommodation from Specialist Homelessness Services weren’t able to be helped (compared with 33.9% in 2022-23).

224,326 households are on the waiting list for social housing across Australia. 106,534 have been identified as having the greatest need (an increase of 4% compared to 2023).

Ms Callister believes that the combination of limited affordable housing availability and the rising cost-of-living and inflation are pushing more people towards homelessness. “It’s increasing the risk of homelessness for many, including people in paid employment and those who are staring down the barrel of homelessness for the first time in their lives,” she said.

“There aren’t enough accommodation options for everyone who needs it, and these days, finding a rental that’s affordable is like finding a needle in a haystack.”

“Finding a rental that’s affordable is like finding a needle in a haystack.”

Ms Callister has urged the Federal Government to increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance by at least 50% and lift income support payments to at least $78 a day to keep people who are in need out of poverty and help people in rental stress avoid homelessness.

With demand for Mission Australia’s homelessness and housing services having increased by 26% since 2021, staff are describing it as the worst housing situation they’ve seen, with concerns for when the pressure will end.

“Often homelessness service staff find it near impossible to help vulnerable families and individuals find safe, secure accommodation, because the housing stock just isn’t available,” Ms Callister said.

“Even after much dialogue and distress caused by the cost-of-living and housing crisis, people are still making tough financial choices heading into 2024 – between putting food on the table, paying the power bill or paying the rent to keep a roof over their head.”

“People are still making tough financial choices heading into 2024 – between putting food on the table, paying the power bill or paying the rent to keep a roof over their head.”

Ms Callister is urging the Prime Minister and Treasurer to invest more in the imminent National Housing and Homelessness Plan in an effort to end homelessness in Australia and turn the statistics around.

“As part of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, we need extra investment to shift the homelessness system from its current crisis-driven band-aid approach, towards a system that actively prevents homelessness from occurring in the first place,” she said, recommending the Government invests in a new $500 million Prevention Transformation Fund. This would effectively enable frontline staff to help people avoid homelessness by providing response and assistance sooner.

“We need extra investment to shift the homelessness system from its current crisis-driven band-aid approach, towards a system that actively prevents homelessness.”

“We also urgently need a commitment to building at least one million new social and affordable homes over 20 years,” she said.

And while existing commitments by governments are expected to contribute around 50,000 social and affordable homes over the next five years, much more investment is needed to address the social and affordable home shortfall, long waiting lists and Australia’s homelessness emergency, Ms Callister explains.

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Feature image: Photo by Canva Pro