One in five Australian renters live without essentials and in poverty, Peak Body study finds

Australian private renters make up around a fifth of people living without essential items nationwide, according to a new joint study released by peak body the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the University of New Wales. South.

The study also found that among Australians who rent – after paying their rent – 22 per cent live below the poverty line, as the twin crises of housing affordability and cost of living continue in the country.

For Australians who rent social housing, that figure is more than 50 per cent, according to the study released exclusively at 7:30.

The report showed a number of renters are at risk of material deprivation, as well as several Australian groups receiving social benefits, including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parental Allowance and Disability Pension.

The group also includes single-parent families and First Nations people who face multiple material deprivations.

Material deprivation exists when people do not own and cannot afford goods or activities widely considered essential to fully participating in a society.

For example, when people cannot afford safe housing, warm clothing and bedding, medical and dental care, medications, a roof and gutters that do not leak, children who can go on field trips, leisure, a washing machine, a separate bed for each child in a family, Internet access, insurance and at least $500 in emergency savings.

According to the study, among inactive working-age households and privately renting households, at least 20 percent are deprived of two or more items.

Public housing tenants are at least five times more likely than the general population to lack at least one or half of all essentials.

Demands an increase in social benefits

A report released last week showed renters in Sydney and Perth were spending on average more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.

ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie told 7.30pm Australians on welfare were among those most at risk.

“People on income support experience multiple material deprivations at rates that far exceed the general population,” Dr Goldie said.

Dr Goldie called on the Government to do more to tackle problems linked to wealth inequality.

“The extremely high rate of low wealth (81 percent) among people with incomes below the poverty line and who experience multiple deprivations shows the important role that wealth plays in protecting against poverty,” said she declared in a press release.

“The federal government must increase income support payments to sustainable levels, improve employment services, strengthen social housing and adopt a plan for jobs, services and training to reduce long-term unemployment “These policies will go a long way to reducing poverty and material deprivation across Australia.”

Dr Goldie also called for the JobSeeker rate, currently at $56 a day, to be brought in line with the pension rate, at $82 a day.

This was echoed by Sharon Callister, chief executive of Mission Australia.

“Without urgent action, more people in Australia will be left behind and at risk of homelessness.” » said Ms. Callister.

“Mission Australia is calling for an increase in Jobseeker Support and other income support to $82 per day and a 60 per cent increase in the maximum threshold for Commonwealth Rental Assistance.”