Call for Rent Assistance Boost Amid Rental Crisis
Political parties need to commit to further increases in support payments including the Commonwealth Rent Assistance Scheme to support Australians – including older Australians on fixed incomes – to get into the housing market, COTA Australia says.
The call comes as new Grattan Institute research shows that individual tenants living on government assistance have limited affordable property options after no increases were made for rent support or JobSeeker in this year’s budget.
COTA Australia Chief Executive, Patricia Sparrow, said the risk of not addressing our housing issues will see more people – including older people – put at risk.
“Over one in five older Australians are renting, and for those renting on a fixed income like the pension, the soaring cost of rent is pushing them into poverty,” Ms Sparrow said.
“Older women are the largest growing group at risk of homelessness. The issues around housing affordability impact people of all ages, but our older women are bearing much of the brunt of it.
Ms Sparrow said while the Federal Government raised the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 27 per cent in the previous two budgets, renters were left wanting in the latest budget.
“Australians of all ages will be looking to our political parties to outline how they’ll deal with our huge housing affordability issues in the lead up to the election day.
“Reviewing the role of Government demand-side supports, such as the design and eligibility of Rent Assistance is critical and should be implemented to ensure stable government housing supports for generations renting today and those to come.”
https://cota.org.au/news-items/rent-assistance-needs-boost-as-research-shows-too-many-locked-out-of-rentals/