The People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis calls on government to help Aussies facing homelessness

Government inaction into housing stress continues to leave millions of Aussies at risk of homelessness, according to researchers.

Australia needs 750,000 new social homes within the next two decades in ensure the homelessness crisis doesn’t blow out even further than the current, new research has revealed.

The People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis released its final report into the nation’s ongoing risk to homelessness and a lack of housing available after hearing from more than 1500 Aussies facing housing stress in some shape or another.

A new study has found homelessness will continue to worsen unless the government steps in now. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

One of those testimonies included Collingwood resident Christopher, who said he’s been “broken” by an unfavourable housing solution and called on the government to sort out the crisis before it’s too late.

“I’m furious that my chances at improving my life have been hampered at every turn by government inaction and cynical policies,” he said.

“I could have been something. Instead I’ve been unable to study or work or hold meaningful social connections because I’ve been struggling to keep a roof over my head.”

The report recommended the federal government create 750,000 social homes within two decades, abolish investor tax concessions, and co-ordinate strong national rental reform.

Co-commissioner Doug Cameron said the report highlighted how Australians are directly impacted by market failure, under investment by government and an over reliance on the private sector.

“Too many Australians are paying the price of government inaction including having no option but to stay in domestic violence relationships, live in shoddy conditions, and go hungry,” Mr Cameron said.

Co-commissioner Doug Cameron says the government must provide 750,000 new social homes within the next 20 years. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Without ambitious action and increased funding for social housing, we risk becoming a more divided country.

“In order to build a good society and a fair society, the federal government must act urgently on the voice of the disadvantaged, middle-income and professional Australians who provided insights and recommendations to the People’s Commission.”

Mr Cameron has urged the Housing minister Clare O’Neil to listen to the voices of Australians who gave evidence to the People’s Commission.

“The federal government must step up and change course based on the overwhelming evidence that the status quo will not solve the crisis,” Mr Cameron said.

“I applaud the fact that the new Housing Minister expresses enthusiasm to tackle the housing crisis, however it’s troubling that failed ‘market solutions’ such as investor tax breaks continue to take precedence over increased funding for social housing.

“The federal Housing Minister and government must listen to and act for the many Australians who gave evidence to the People’s Commission by urgently addressing the distorted tax system, the lack of affordable public and community housing, and the standard of rental housing.”

The report heard from 1500 people who were experiencing housing stress. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

The report also recommended the government should expand social housing eligibility, recognise housing as a human right, raise the rate of working age payments, provide additional funding for crisis housing services, and improve productivity in home building by increasing the capacity of the modular housing industry.

Co-commissioner and University of Sydney housing expert Professor Nicole Gurran said the was an “urgency for change” to ensure housing stress is thwarted across the county.

“The evidence they provided is an indictment on decades of failed housing policy, government inaction, and buck passing,” Professor Gurran said.

“An over reliance on the private market has not and will not deliver the magnitude of affordable, secure housing that Australia needs.

“Instead, national leadership is needed to restore investment to social housing, fix the unfair and inefficient tax settings that fuel demand without delivering new supply, and ensure adequate rental subsidies and protections so that tenants in the private sector can access secure and decent homes.”

Co-commissioner Professor Nicole Gurran says it’s time the government stops ‘passing the buck’ when it comes to social housing. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Everybody’s Home spokeswoman Maiy Azize welcomed the report, and said it was time the government acted to ensure more Aussies aren’t forced into housing stress.

“Too many Australians are staying in unsafe relationships, skipping meals, living with toxic mould, working insane hours, or moving away from loved ones just to keep a roof over their heads,” Ms Azize said.

“Too many Australians are living in tents, caravans, on couches or the streets because there simply aren’t enough safe, decent, affordable homes for them.

“ Our leaders can’t waste another moment to rapidly build more social housing, phase out investor tax breaks and co-ordinate strong national rental reform.”

Originally published as The People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis calls on government to help Aussies facing homelessness