DATA from Anglicare’s annual national Rental Affordability Snapshot shows singles – including single parents – in Goulburn-Mulwaree are bearing the brunt of the region’s ongoing rental crisis.
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In the Goulburn region there are no properties affordable and appropriate for single individuals or single parent families on Newstart or the Youth Allowance, Anglicare claims.
Likewise there were only two affordable properties for single parents and single adults on the minimum wage.
“One of the most distressing issues is that we have single parent families paying for rents on the private market far beyond their means,” said Anglicare’s Simon Bennett, director of community services for NSW South and West.
“In this scenario it’s not surprising they have to turn to charities to put food on the kids’ dinner plates.”
The 2013 Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot report shows that on Saturday, April 13, when the Anglicare network surveyed 56,414 rental properties across Australia, less than one per cent of the properties listed were suitable for anyone on Newstart allowance, parenting payment, aged pension or disability support pension.
Anglicare says its research especially calls into question the federal government’s decision to shift single parent families onto Newstart. Anglicare believes that pathways must be available to help people move from benefits into full-time employment.
“If Governments are serious about helping single parents move into the workforce, they must take more note of the difficulties low waged single parent workers are already facing in making ends meet in centres like Goulburn,” Mr Bennett said.
“The fact remains that low-paid and particularly part time workers are still unable to afford housing in this market and may have the added financial burden of childcare costs - such as after school and holiday care - as well.”
The lack of public and community housing in Goulburn is a major issue, says Mr Bennett. In Goulburn, families with children have to wait more than five years for a property.
Surrounding areas such as Crookwell and Gunning have small numbers of properties of certain types, potentially available in under two years.
The adequacy of Newstart in general also needs to be seriously questioned, he says.
“Anglicare was unable to find any affordable housing for singles on Newstart anywhere across the broader region. This suggests that the Newstart for singles needs to be adjusted to reflect the reality of the housing market. In particular, Rent Assistance needs to be increased to assist singles and families on low paying benefits.”
