Cost-of-living relief package must make housing affordable

23/01/2024

As new data exposes severe rental stress across Australia, Everybody’s Home is calling on the federal government to prioritise housing affordability in its cost-of-living relief package. 

New figures from the Productivity Commission’s annual Report on Government Services show that nearly one in two people (42.9%) on Commonwealth Rent Assistance are still in housing stress.

Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the government must provide immediate relief to renters.

“Renters are being slammed by the cost-of-living. Rents are climbing every year and wages aren’t keeping pace. There are only so many increases people can afford to bear,” Ms Azize said.

“Housing stress is through the roof. Many Australians on the lowest incomes are missing out on rent assistance completely. Even those who get the payment are struggling to make ends meet. The latest rent assistance increase has already been swallowed up by surging rents.

“As Labor MPs meet to discuss cost-of-living relief this week, they can’t ignore the greatest cost to household budgets – housing. Australians need action to bring rents down now. 

“The federal government must work with states and territories to limit rent increases. With rents soaring every year, this is the most powerful and immediate step they could take to help renters.

“Rent assistance should also be increased, and extended to low-income households who aren’t eligible.

“Making housing affordable will take more than quick fixes. Immediate relief for renters must be backed up with a plan to scrap investor tax breaks that are pushing up the cost of housing.

“The government has the power to make homes affordable. We’re calling on them to take action now before even more people are pushed into hardship.”