Rent regional Victoria: COVID decimates country rental market according to Anglicare report

A rental crisis in country Victoria has all but priced out younger people and those on low incomes. Discover the 10 most affordable towns for renters here.

Anglicare’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot said young people, those on a minimum wage or on income-support were being priced out of regional, coastal and remote areas. Picture: Christian Erfurt

Regional Victoria’s rental market has been shattered with young people and job seekers completely locked out of affordable homes.

Anglicare’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot reported people on income-support and minimum wages are being priced out of regional, coastal and remote areas.

The report surveyed 33,710 private rental listings on Saturday, March 21, and found only 2 per cent of Victorian properties were suitable for a household on income support or a pension, and less than one in five was suitable for a household on a minimum wage.

But for regional Victorians, finding a home is challenging, with rental listings halving compared to 2020.

Anglicare said only 1422, or 4 per cent of all rentals, were in regional, rural and coastal areas, with no properties listed in 33 local government areas.

The report detailed how an exodus of Melburnians had bucked the longstanding trend of affordable country rent.

According to the document the average weekly rent in the regions is now similar to that of the city.

Across all regional Victoria there were just 132 affordable homes for a household on income support.

While only 54 per cent of homes were affordable to a household on minimum wage.

And there were no affordable rentals across all of regional Victoria for single people on Jobseeker or Youth Allowance.

The trend has devastated the market in Bendigo, 153km north of Melbourne, with the city plunged into a rental vacancy crisis.

Anglicare said of the 151 listed properties in Greater Bendigo, only six were affordable for someone on income support.

It said there were no homes for singles and families on JobSeeker, and just above one third were affordable for a family on the minimum wage.

Real estate agent Anita Harrington said the Bendigo market was facing a massive shortage, with less than a third of the number of listings compared to the 10-year-average.

Bendigo real estate agent, Barry Plant chief operating officer Anita Harrington. Picture: Contributed

The Barry Plant chief operating officer said she received 15 inspection bookings and 55 online inquiries in less than 24 hours for one rental property.

Ms Harrington said in such a competitive market those on an income-support could struggle as landlords opted for “safer bets”.

“(Those on income support) may have to view 60 properties to be the lucky one,” she said.

Ms Harrington said the pressure was breaking many renters who were anxious and desperate about their future.

She said stories of homelessness were becoming heartbreakingly common.

“I know one young lady who was forced from her home who is living in a shop front down in Epsom,” Ms Harrington said.

Anglicare advocated for government-led housing affordability strategy, an increase in Job Seeker and more housing support, particularly for those fleeing family violence.

10 most affordable local government areas in regional Victoria for households on minimum wage

1. South Gippsland: 87.5 per cent of listings, with seven affordable homes.

2. Gannawarra: 75.0 per cent, with six homes

3. Macedon Ranges: 74.7 per cent, with 109 homes

4. Ballarat: 72.1 per cent, with 196 homes

5. Mildura: 65.8 per cent, with 48 homes

6. Baw Baw: 61.5 per cent, with 59 homes

7. Campaspe: 55.6 per cent, with 25 homes

8. Latrobe: 54.3 per cent, with 63 homes

9. Bass Coast: 51.7 per cent, with 15 homes

10. Mount Alexander: 46.7 per cent, with seven homes