New statistics revealed in Anglicare's annual national rental affordability snapshot show a catastrophic housing outlook for vulnerable people relying on government supports as rental crisis worsens in the Goulburn area.
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Anglicare's Regional Manager for Housing and Social Services, Toni Reay, said that regional areas like Goulburn continued to be affected by significant increases in housing costs that disproportionately affect people on low incomes.
"Our housing support team in Goulburn has assisted record numbers of people over the past 12 months," she said.
"Housing affordability is a complex issue and many factors have contributed to this, including people moving from metro areas to more affordable and larger regional properties in places like Goulburn.
"Rents are increasing due to market demand, and some property owners are choosing to sell. This means renters face no-fault evictions with some unable to find another rental property that is affordable. There is simply not enough housing in this area."
Ms Reay also said the Goulburn service had been receiving calls for assistance from as far afield as Lismore with people from flood-affected northern NSW communities finding limited or no options available nearby.
"The level of need is heartbreaking. We also assist women and children who have been displaced because of family violence and we know that the lockdowns and uncertainty created during COVID-19 has created increased challenges and stress for households," she said.
Anglicare recently acquired additional properties to assist women and children escaping domestic violence, through a Commonwealth Government Safer Places grant.
"The Anglicare team are incredibly grateful for this additional support," Ms Reay said.
"Having safe and secure places for families to rebuild their lives and recover from trauma is so important and organisations like Anglicare need to be able offer further options like this to meet growing needs. Secure housing is essential.
"Without it, people are unable to focus on employment, education or building relationships. A secure home gives people a foundation from which to heal and rebuild their lives."
Of the household categories reviewed in the research, most showed very little or no housing would be affordable in the Goulburn area for people relying on government supports.
The only significant exception was for couples on minimum wage receiving family tax benefits, which showed that 18 per cent of properties would be affordable. (Anglicare rated rents as affordable if they made up 30 per cent or less of household income.)
Anglicare is calling for further assistance for vulnerable families in regional NSW including an increase in social housing options, an increase in government support payments, and greater protections for tenants.
