Housing out of reach to Dubbo's low income earners

The annual Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot showed that for singles and couples who rely on Newstart, Youth Allowance or parenting payments, there is almost no suitable housing options available to them in Dubbo or Narromine.

The snapshot, which was taken on April 1, revealed not a single property available for rent was affordable and appropriate for an individual on Youth Allowance or New Start, and there were just two viable properties for a person on the disability support pension.

There were 21 properties, 13 per cent of the total market, that suited the needs of a couple on the aged pension and just eight units or houses available for a single pensioner.

Unfortunately, the story for people on the minimum wage was no better.

A couple with two children, who were earning minimum wage and Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A could afford 91 properties but a single parent with two children making minimum wage and FTB A and B had just 12 choices.

The report found that despite generally lower property prices in regional areas, the added factors of lower wages and lower housing availability meant it was a tough market.

Anglicare Community Services Manager, Karen Fahy, said some families in the region were paying more than 50 per cent of their allowance into housing, causing significant stress. She wanted to see more done to help those in need.

“At Anglicare, we see people each week who struggle with increasing costs of living. It’s clear that not enough is being done to support individuals and families on a low income,” she said.

“Addressing housing affordability is complex and families living in regional centres like Dubbo need to be assisted as much as families in metro areas.

“Improving conditions for renters, addressing the low rates of government welfare assistance and providing more social housing are just some of initiatives that need to be taken.”