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Government measures amid the COVID-19 crisis averted the risk of homelessness and housing stress for many, but the risk will rise as these measures taper off, according to an advocacy group.
Everybody’s Home, which is a campaign group that aims to build adequate social housing for Australia, cited economic modelling released by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, which found that close to 500,000 Australians avoided the risk of increased housing stress and homelessness due to federal government measures such as JobKeeper, JobSeeker and other support payments.
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However, Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin warned that the risk of homelessness and housing stress could rise significantly, exposing one-quarter of those people to serious housing stress.
“A substantial Commonwealth investment in social housing will prevent many tens of thousands of vulnerable families and individuals confronting the harsh brutality of homelessness,” Ms Colvin said.
“The Commonwealth has the financial firepower to build homes for all and make sure no one unnecessarily confronts the awful reality of homelessness. There has never been a better time to make this investment.
“Investing in social housing now provides a powerful twin benefit. It will spur the creation of thousands of building and construction jobs while also providing safe, secure housing for those who have been unlucky.”
The Everybody’s Home Campaign, which is comprised of charities, not-for-profits and housing providers, is aiming for the creation of an additional 500,000 homes in Australia over the next decade.
[Related: ASBFEO reiterates call for more SME support]
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