The People’s Commission finds the government needs to focus on building more social houses, eliminate policies like negative gearing and coordinate national rental reform to help address the housing crisis in Australia.
The People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis found that the current crisis is having a devasting impact on individuals and families across the country and highlights the urgent need for government action.
Key recommendations from the report include creating 750,000 social homes within two decades, ending investor tax concessions, and implementing national rental reforms.
Former Labor Senator Doug Cameron, a commissioner for the People’s Commission, urged the new Housing Minister Clare O’Neil to heed the voices of those who provided evidence.
“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.
He said that “failed market solutions” like investor tax breaks continue to take precedence over increased funding for social housing.
The report reveals that many Australians are forced to make difficult choices due to the housing crisis, including staying in domestic violence situations, living in substandard conditions, and going hungry.
Professor Nicole Gurran, a housing expert from the University of Sydney and fellow commissioner, said there is an urgent need for change based on the distressing testimony received.
“Those who took part in the People’s Commission came from all walks of life – from professional women unable to retire due to housing insecurity to young people unable to access the rental market, or people with a disability unable to find a suitable home,” Prof Gurran said.
She said there is an over-reliance on the private market, stating that it has failed to deliver the affordable, secure housing that Australia needs.
The report also includes data from a survey of more than 120 frontline organisations, revealing the top impacts of the housing crisis on clients.
They found that 90 per cent of people found the crisis has led to stress or mental health problems, 75 per cent found that it led to homelessness, 39 per cent felt it led to disconnection with family or community and 32 per cent believed they were forced to stay in an unsafe home environment.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize highlighted the human cost of the housing crisis.
“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.
“The People’s Commission has done more than showcase heartbreaking stories – it has shown that voters expect the government to step up on housing.
“Our leaders can’t waste another moment to rapidly build more social housing, phase out investor tax breaks and coordinate strong national rental reform.”
