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More evidence of increasing housing stress for Australian households: Yet Federal, State and Local Govt lack coordinated management of housing affordability
December 10, 2011 by Editor · Leave a Comment
High expectations about living standards are a big reason behind the current level of housing stress, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria Ballarat division chairman John McMahon.
The latest figures released by Australians for Affordable Housing (AAH) show that one in six Ballarat households are experiencing housing stress.
It also reveals that the worst problems are in the rental market, with 38 per cent of Ballarat renters under stress.
AAH says housing stress is characterised by low-income households spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.
Mr McMahon said the number of applications to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for repossession of houses due to unpaid rent was at a “concerning” level.
He said cost of living in general had increased, and people simply wanted better houses.
“It’s the attitude to the level of housing that people reckon they are entitled to,” he said. “It wouldn’t matter whether it’s the sort of TV they’ve got and other bits and pieces – we live in a very material society.”
AAH claims that 18 per cent of Ballarat home buyers are in housing stress, and urges people to join a campaign for government action.
Campaign manager Sarah Toohey said “urgent action” is needed to develop a proper housing strategy.
Source: The Courier
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