A family of seven—two parents and five young children—have just moved into a cramped, rundown two-bedroom flat behind someone’s house in a small town near Tumut.
And they feel lucky.
This is what the rental crisis looks like in the Riverina.
Anglicare Australia’s recent Rental Affordability Snapshot (RAS) confirms the devastating reality facing families on low incomes. Across the country, rental affordability is at its worst level in over a decade. Rapid population growth and a housing supply that just isn’t keeping up means that families like this one are left with few—if any—options.
In regional communities the problem is made worse by a continued influx of city dwellers who are driving and keeping rents high. In the Riverina, the situation is further compounded by large infrastructure projects whose workers require housing, and whose budgets can afford it.
In the greater Wagga Wagga area rental rates have soared by 43 percent over the last five years, according to realestate.com.au—while vacancy rates remain 0.05 percent.
Anglicare Financial Counsellor, Chris Heckenberg who regularly works with people impacted by the rental crisis, said that despite doing all the right things, the family of seven were facing homelessness.
“The family had always paid their rent on time and took great care of the property, maintaining the house, garden, and lawns meticulously,” said Chris. “They had built a strong relationship with their landlord, who often praised them as tenants and assured them of their rental security.”
So, it came as a devastating and unexpected blow when they were issued with a notice to vacate. “The landlord explained that one of the large infrastructure projects offered him twice what they were paying in rent,” Chris added.
With no affordable rental options available in the region, the family were left with few choices. They briefly considered moving into a caravan park, but winter temperatures and safety concerns made this option unsuitable for young children.
In a last resort, the family shared their situation on social media, despite feeling deeply embarrassed. The post led to an offer of a small two-bedroom flat located in someone’s backyard.
“The living conditions are far from ideal,” said Chris. “Seven people are now squeezed into a cramped, run-down unit, but it’s a better alternative than enduring a mountain winter in a caravan.”
While not for profits like Anglicare continue to provide advocacy and essential support to those in crisis, the severity of the current housing situation is staggering, and for renters the situation is not improving.
We remain hopeful that state and federal governments will support community services in meeting immediate demand by increasing funding for specialist crisis and homelessness services now, while simultaneously working to find lasting and sustainable solutions to address the underlying housing problem.
Click here for media coverage of Anglicare’s Rental Affordability Snapshot or to read the full RAS report.
