Anglicare Australia is calling on all parties and candidates to help older people into affordable housing. This follows the release of Anglicare Australia’s Rental Affordability Snapshot on Wednesday.
“Housing is one of the biggest issues facing people as they age, but it’s barely on the election radar. Instead the focus is on first-home buyers and people who are just starting out,” said Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers.
“Older people are being locked out of housing right when they need security the most. This makes it harder to get care at home, and it makes it harder for renters to age in place.
“Our Rental Affordability Snapshot shows that a person on the Age Pension can afford just 0.3% of rental listings across Australia. That includes the highest rate of rent assistance.
“For couples, it’s 0.7%. That’s a record low, even after years of gloomy results.
“In all, there are 95 electorates across the country that don’t have a single affordable listing for a person on the Age Pension. This should be a massive wake-up call about the depths of the rental crisis.
“People are desperate for action. Instead, parties are promising more of the same. First home buyer grants will not help older people in rental stress, and our numbers show that rent assistance isn’t working.
“Pledges to help older people with the cost of medicines and energy are welcome, but the fact is that housing is the biggest cost for most Australians. And a growing number of older Australians will retire as renters.
“We’re calling on whoever wins the election to boost to affordable housing. Our shortfall is massive. We need 640,000 new social and affordable rentals across Australia. Investing in housing is the most powerful way to keep older people in secure housing, and stop them from going into aged care before they’re ready.
“We’re asking all parties and candidates to take action, and help make sure that older Australians have the homes they deserve.”
The Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed over 51,000 listings and found that:
- Just 0.3% of rentals are affordable for a person on the Age Pension
- A couple on the Age Pension can afford 0.7% of listings. This is a record-low result.
- Across the country, 95 electorates out of 151 have no affordable listings for a person on the Age Pension. 91 have no affordable rentals for a couple on the Age Pension.
To explore rental affordability in your electorate, visit www.anglicare.asn.au/heat-maps