Electorate data reveals that over one in three renters in Lindsay are in rent stress
10/05/2019
More than one in three renters in the marginal Western Sydney electorate of Lindsay are struggling in housing they can’t afford – making it one of the Top 20 worst electorates in NSW for rent stress.
University of NSW analysis for national housing and homelessness campaign Everybody’s Home shows that rental stress in Lindsay figure is above the NSW average, with 36% of households renting struggling with rent stress.
Since 2011, there has been a 29% increase in the number of households renting in Lindsay– with 17,800 households now renting – and a 15% increase in the number of households in rent stress. 850 people experiencing homelessness in the electorate,
National Everybody’s Home campaign spokesperson, Kate Colvin said the analysis showed where NSW renters are doing it hardest.
Ms Colvin said the data busts the myth that housing affordability is only an inner city issue in Sydney.
A report by Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute (AHURI) shows that there is a desperate need for more social and affordable housing in Sydney’s outer suburbs[i].
According to the report, currently there is a social housing shortfall of 5,000 and an affordable housing shortfall of 3,300 in Sydney’s outer west and Blue Mountains, which covers Lindsay.
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 Lindsay.
“It means 35% of rental households in Lindsay are having to make a choice between essentials such as food, petrol, prescription medicine – or rent.
“It’s clear that we need more social and affordable housing in the area.”
Local community housing provider Wentworth Community Housing and local organisation Platform Youth Service have partnered with the Everybody’s Home campaign and is urging all candidates in Lindsay Dobell discuss the ongoing crisis.
Wentworth Community Housing CEO, Stephen McIntyre said:“Housing affordability is a significant issue in Lindsay. Demand for our homelessness services has increased dramatically over the last three years.
“We need governments to invest in housing that is connected to transport, jobs, education and services. We have a social responsibility and economic imperative to ensure that everyone has a home,” Mr McIntyre said.
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;
- Create a national plan to end homelessness by 2030.
[i]https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/306