Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance calls for urgent action to address housing crisis

Christina thought she’d use her superannuation to buy a house, but the Croydon woman is one of many older women struggling to afford somewhere to live. And the problem is so bad in the outer east that others have been forced to live in their cars.

Christina, who did not want her surname used, has struggled to fo find affordable accommodation.

Older women are being forced to live in cars and rundown accommodation as a housing affordability crisis grips the outer east.

The Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance is calling on the Federal Government to address Australia’s “not-so-hidden shame” as one of its first priorities in office.

The alliance says increasingly outer metropolitan councils, including Knox, are struggling to deal with an increase in the number of people sleeping rough or seeking other forms of emergency accommodation.

Croydon’s Christina, who did not want her surname used, said the reality of the housing crisis meant she was forced to rent a rundown and dilapidated house, with not enough heating and only one tap with running water.

Despite a lifetime of hard work and saving, rising house prices meant she was unable to afford a house for herself.

She pays about $150 a week in rent, with ongoing health issues making it near impossible to find more suitable rental accommodation.

“I had hoped that when I retired I would have enough with my superannuation to afford a small place — however the increase in house prices means I am unable to afford a home for myself,” she said.

A lot of older women have fled abusive relationships, according to Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker.

Homelessness support service Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker said a lot of older women were affected by the housing crisis, with some forced to sleep in their cars.

Ms Tucker said many women had thought their retirement would be spent with a partner.

“Many have left a relationship that has been violent for many years … the assumption is they’ll get half of the assets, but many find the mortgage payments are behind, they’re in debt or often the partner will fight them for money and they’ll end up with nothing.”

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Uniting Harrison Homelessness Services executive officer Jerry Ham said affordable, safe and secure housing was an essential human right.

“We support all efforts across all levels of government to address the housing affordability crisis,” Mr Ham said.

In the eastern suburbs only 55 per cent of the social housing need was met by existing supply and an extra 526 dwellings every year for 22 years were needed to meet current and future demand, according to Knox Council research.

Alliance chair Peter Lockwood said demand for social and affordable housing in the east far outstrips supply.

“Access to a roof over your head is a fundamental human right and yet, governments seem willing to leave people stuck in housing limbo,” Cr Lockwood said.

Cr Lockwood called for the appointment of a dedicated federal housing minister and the development of a federal housing strategy.