REVEALED: Over 185,000 Victorians are in rental stress

1 May 2019

Media release

More than one in three households in Victoria’s top five electorates for rental stress are in struggling in housing they can’t afford, newly released electorate data shows.

The University of NSW analysis for national housing campaign, Everybody’s Home shows that Flinders top the list of electorates for rental stress in Victoria, with 37% of households of the 12,454 households who rent in experiencing rental stress.

The seat-by-seat comparison compares rents and incomes across electorates to identify the number of households in rental stress.

Flinders is followed by Calwell (37%), Corio (36%), Dunkley (35%) and Bendigo (35%) as the top five electorates where households are 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 busted the myth that housing affordability is only an inner Melbourne or Sydney issue.

“The narrow focus on real estate prices for young home-buyers means that 185,574 Victorian households in rental stress are being forgotten by governments at all levels.”

“In Victoria 30% of all households that rent are in rental stress, which is far too many people struggling to keep a roof over their head, as well as afford the basics of life.”

“Underinvestment in social housing, increasing rents and low wage growth mean that low income earners, and middle income earners are struggling.”

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

  1. Develop a national strategy to provide the national shortfall of 500,000 social and affordable homes;
  2. Prioritise home buyers over investors by resetting the tax system;
  3. Ensure a better deal for renters;
  4. Increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance to provide immediate relief for renters in chronic rental stress;
  5. Create a national plan to end homelessness by 2030.

 

Doing it tough: the top 10 electorates in Victoria for rental stress

VIC rank Electorate Party MP
1 Flinders LP Greg Andrew
2 Calwell ALP Maria Vamvakinou
3 Corio ALP Richard Donald Marles
4 Dunkley LP Chris Crewther
5 Bendigo ALP Lisa Marie Chesters
6 Casey LP Anthony David Hawthorn Smith
7 Scullin ALP Andrew James Giles
8 Ballarat ALP Catherine Fiona King
9 Monash LP Russell Evan Broadbent
10 Holt ALP Anthony Michael Byrne

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