‘Expensive’ and ‘insecure’ rental market keeping people in social housing

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January 29 2020
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The Australian private rental market is largely inaccessible, unaffordable and insecure for households that might otherwise have had the capacity to move on from social housing, new research shows.

According to research from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the social housing market is perceived by tenants as a destination rather than a pathway to other forms of housing.

The research found there are limited pathways for tenants to leave social housing for the private rental market, even for those who want to.

“Many of the tenants we interviewed did not feel they had any option but to stay in social housing, considering themselves unable, financially and otherwise, to negotiate the private rental market,” said Dr Kathleen Flanagan, lead author of the research.

“In practical terms, for many tenants there are no feasible pathways out of social housing to another form of housing. Instead, the social housing system is seen as a destination.”

Of the tenants interviewed for the research, most tenants had experienced significant housing instability and insecurity prior to accessing social housing.

This includes experiences of homelessness, domestic and family violence, inadequate and unhealthy housing, significant financial stress and high levels of household mobility.

“If policies to encourage or enforce transitions out of social housing and into the private rental market are to be promoted, then housing providers should make sure adequate support is available at all stages of the process: before, during and after a move is made,” Dr Flanagan said.

Ms Flanagan concluded: “In addition, there needs to be private rental housing that is affordable and secure that tenants can move into.”

About the author

Cameron is a journalist for Momentum Media's nestegg and Smart Property Investment. He enjoys giving Aussies practical financial tips and tricks to help grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. As a self-confessed finance nerd, Cameron enjoys chatting with industry experts and commentators to leverage their insights to grow your portfolio.

About the author

Cameron is a journalist for Momentum Media's nestegg and Smart Property Investment. He enjoys giving Aussies practical financial tips and tricks to help grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. As a self-confessed finance nerd, Cameron enjoys chatting with industry experts and commentators to leverage their insights to grow your portfolio.

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