Electorate data reveals that over one in three renters in Casey are in rental stress
29/05/2019
26 April 2019
Media release
More than one in three renters in Victoria’s electorate of Casey are struggling in housing they can’t afford.
The University of NSW analysis for national housing campaign, Everybody’s Home shows that the average proportion of renting households in rental stress in Victoria is 30%. In Casey, the figure is above average at 34% of renting households in rental stress.
The seat-by-seat analysis compares rents and incomes across electorates to identify the number of households in rental stress.
Casey is the sixth worst electorate in Victoria for renters experiencing rental stress.
National Everybody’s Home campaign spokesperson, Kate Colvin said the analysis showed where Victorian renters are doing it hardest.
Ms Colvin said the data busts the myth that housing affordability is only an inner Melbourne or Sydney issue.
A report by Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute (AHURI) shows that there is a desperate need for more social and affordable housing in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs[i].
According to the report, currently there is a social housing shortfall of 6,000 and an affordable housing shortfall of 3,100 in Melbourne’s outer east, where the electorate of Casey is situated.
Ms Colvin said that “underinvestment in social housing, increasing rents and low wage growth mean that low income earners, and middle income earners are struggling in electorates such as Casey.”
“It’s clear that we need more social and affordable housing in the area.”
The Victorian Public Tenants Association (VPTA) and local homelessness organisation Anchor Housing Support Services have partnered with the Everybody’s Home campaign and met with Bill Brindle, Labor candidate for Casey earlier this afternoon to discuss this ongoing crisis.
Manager of Housing Support and Development at Anchor, Mark Lamont, said they have seen an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness over the past twelve months in the region.
“The lack of affordable housing and rental properties, coupled with financial difficulties and an increase in people presenting with family violence issues are all contributing factors.”
Ms Colvin said ahead of the Federal election voters expect all parties to announce policies that will address the cost of housing – the biggest single cost of living for households.
Everybody’s Home campaign is calling for the government to:
- Develop a national strategy to provide the national shortfall of 500,000 social and affordable homes;
- Prioritise home buyers over investors by resetting the tax system;
- Ensure a better deal for renters;
- Increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance to provide immediate relief for renters in chronic rental stress;
- Support a national plan to end homelessness by 2030.
Media enquiries: Aliya Ahmad 0428 684 307
The Everybody’s Home campaign has united the not for profit housing, homelessness and community sectors with the nation’s largest charities in calling for leaders to fix Australia’s housing system so that everybody has a home.
[i] https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/306