The National Rental Affordability Index 2nd release for 2018 is now available for download.
National Shelter, Community Sector Banking, SGS Economics and Planning and the Brotherhood of St Laurence have released the National Rental Affordability Index biannually since 2015. It is an indicator of the relative affordability or otherwise of private rental homes with a particular focus on households in income quintiles 1 and 2.
The Productivity Commission – the Australian government’s highly influential economic advisory body – released a report titled Rising Inequality? last week. The question mark indicates its scepticism about other research findings on rising inequality in Australia. The commission responded to its own question in the report’s very first heading: “Over nearly three decades, inequality has risen slightly in Australia”.
This conclusion has left commentators divided. Some have celebrated this finding. Others, such as Peter Whiteford and Ross Gittins, argued the true picture is more complex.
New research released today by National Shelter, Community Sector Banking, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and SGS Economics and Planning has revealed that rental affordability is hitting crisis around Australia, especially for low income households struggling to make ends meet.
Photo Left: Tim and his dog live on the street in Canberra. Right: Sanda keeps warm drinking coffee. (ABC News: Tamara Penniket)
When accounting graduate Sanda recently became homeless, he realised the world of opportunity that comes with tertiary education does not guarantee a secure future.
"Life is not like everything is planned," he said.
