More than four in five renters are in housing stress, according to a new report by national housing campaign Everybody’s Home.
Homelessness has been named the leading impact of the housing crisis in the Brutal Reality report surveying nearly 750 people.
Key findings from the report revealed 82 per cent of renters are in rental stress and 67 per cent are in housing stress.
Meanwhile, 75 per cent of people are scared about financial security before of the housing crisis and 66 per cent are worried about their mental health and wellbeing.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the human cost of the housing crisis and inaction is grim.
“The housing crisis is pushing ordinary people to the brink with more people facing uncertainty, anxiety and hardship.”
Maya Azize
“We’ve heard from people worried they will become homeless with their children, renters in extreme hardship, and older women who are considering sleeping in their cars or on the streets because they can’t find an affordable home.
“Others told us they feel hopeless, anxious, and scared because they’re homeless or are at risk. Even people who own their own home are worried about what the future holds for their children.”
The report also surveyed housing and welfare organisations across Australia revealing 89 per cent reported bigger and more complex workloads, while 61 per cent said their staff were experiencing burnout or leaving their roles due to the crisis.
“The crisis is also taking a huge toll on the organisations that support people. They are facing growing workloads and staff burnout. Many organisations told us they were worried their clients will be evicted.
“We need more social and affordable housing for people in extreme rental stress. Our shortfall is so big that some people in our survey have been waiting for over a decade.”
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