Anglicare’s Rental Snapshot released on 30 April again shows there are no affordable rentals for someone receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance nationwide.
Of the 51,238 rentals listings Anglicare reviewed, just three rooms in share-houses were affordable for someone receiving the $56 a day JobSeeker Payment and the maximum rate of rent assistance.
None were affordable for someone receiving Youth Allowance, which is just $48 a day. Only 73 (0.1 per cent) listings nationwide were affordable for a single parent with one child under five years of age.
“This is another damning report that shows how inadequate social security payments like JobSeeker are, and how it exacerbates the housing crisis”, ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie AO said.
“If you receive JobSeeker or another social security payment, the data shows you have virtually no chance of avoiding housing stress if you need to rent in the private market.
“People end up going without food, medication and essential healthcare to try to keep a roof over their head.
“The most important thing the next Federal Government should do to reduce the deep financial stress experienced by more than 1.5 million people in Australia is to raise the rate of social security payments like JobSeeker so that they meet basic needs. This should be the first priority of all candidates concerned about cost of living in this election.
“With just days to go, we call on all candidates to support Raise the Rate, and commit to lifting JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related income support payments to at least $82 a day so that people have a chance of keeping a roof over their head.”
