The Salvation Army survey: Housing affordability is biggest social concern of people in NSW

Politicians are being warned to take note of a survey that reveals what really matters to people in NSW in the run up to the election.

Exclusive: Housing affordability is the most critical social policy issue for more than half of all people in NSW in the run up to the federal election, according to the biggest ever survey by The Salvation Army.

Following years of fire, flood and a global pandemic, the charity asked 15,000 people across the country what the biggest social justice issues were in their electorate.

They were asked about their concerns for themselves, their families, loved ones and local communities – and how these issues would impact their personal decisions when they went to vote.

Housing affordability is the biggest concern for people in NSW..

In NSW housing affordability was the most pressing issue that politicians needed to address, with 55 per cent of those survey ranking it first, slightly higher than the national average (52.4 per cent).

More than half of respondents saw mental health (53 per cent) as the critical social justice issue in their community.

A third were concerned about homelessness and family violence (31.4 per cent), while 37 per cent were worried about alcohol and drug use.

Stark figures revealed why housing was such an important issue in NSW.

Rents have become affordable for certain sections of the community.

An estimated 27,100 people were currently homeless in the state and there was a social housing shortfall of 69,700 social housing properties.

One in 200 people were homeless on any given night.

In 2020, approximately one in three women and children escaping family violence were turned away due to a lack of accommodation.

One third of people experiencing homeless in Australia were under 18 years of age.

Rents have also increased nationally by more than eight per cent over the 12 months ending August 2021, the largest rise in rents since 2008.

Captain Stuart Glover of The Salvation Army. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

“This is what the people of Australia are saying matters to them,” The Salvation Army’s Secretary for Mission, Captain Stuart Glover, said.

“If politicians are interested in knowing what people are thinking they should read this.

“This survey adds weight to issues, particularly around mental health and housing affordability.

“It’s not just in pockets, it’s everywhere.

“Our hope is that all candidates will take note of what people in their electorates are saying and have a response to that.”

Australians say mental health is the biggest concern across the country.

Nationally, the top five concerns were: Mental health (53.9 per cent), housing affordability (52.4 per cent), alcohol and drug misuse (42.6 per cent), family violence (35.4 per cent), homelessness (35.1 per cent).

To see all the results of the The Salvation Army’s National Social Justice Stocktake Report (NSJSR) go to salvationarmy.org.au/socialjusticestocktake.