The Benevolent Society has joined this new national campaign because we believe access to affordable housing is critical to overcoming disadvantage and creating inclusive communities. More solutions are especially needed to meet the housing needs of families with children and our growing number of older Australians.
About the campaign
Australians for Affordable Housing is a coalition of national housing, welfare and community sector organisations, established to highlight the problem of housing affordability in Australia. We believe that all Australians should be able to access secure housing that they can afford. Yet currently one in ten Australian households are in housing stress, paying more than 30% of their income in housing costs. Paying too much for housing makes it harder for people to pay for the other basics, like food, clothes, transport and healthcare.
Australians for Affordable Housing is calling on both federal and state governments to make the changes required to make housing more affordable, including:
* More low cost rental housing
* More opportunities for low income households to get into home ownership
* Better financial assistance for low income renters
* To put housing investment tax arrangements on a fairer footing with other investments
* To make home ownership easier for first home buyers
* A clear national plan to deliver affordable housing to all Australians
Who is involved
Steering group members are these national peaks:
* ACOSS
* National Shelter
* Community Housing Federation of Australia
* Homelessness Australia.
* Sacred Heart Mission (CEO is chair)
There are currently 30 supporting members including
The Benevolent Society, St Vincent De Paul Society, Anglicare, Salvation Army, Centacare (Bris), Catholic Home and more.
Find out more about the campaign and tell your own housing stress story
http://housingstressed.org.au/