National Shelter media release 17/10/2011: The greatest poverty of all

In light of Anti-Poverty Week, National Shelter is stressing investment in affordable housing is key to relieving poverty in Australia.

One in 10 Australian households is currently experiencing housing stress and, on any given night, over 105,000 people in Australia are homeless.

Chairperson of National Shelter, Adrian Pisarski, said that while Anti-Poverty Week focuses on a range of service areas, affordable housing needs to be a priority.

“House prices and rents have risen well above inflation. For people on low incomes house costs are consuming more of their income and leaving less for other essentials”.

“For those already struggling with the day to day cost of living, these interest hikes or rent rises can be crippling”. 

National Shelter believes that appropriate, accessible and affordable housing is the strongest solution to helping the lives of disadvantaged Australians.

“All sorts of social and financial difficulties arise from families not being able to access appropriate and affordable accommodation”.

“Lack of work options, access to public transport and infrastructure like doctors and day care to name a few”.

“Community services, the Federal Government and private sector need to work together to build a sustainable affordable housing supply”.  

National Shelter encourages all investors to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) as a sustainable solution to growing the nation’s affordable housing supply.

Media contacts:

Adrian Pisarski, Chairperson: 0417 975 270

Joanna Carson, Communications Officer: 0418 718 584

Queensland Shelter’s policy platform, Diverse Housing Solutions is available at www.qshelter.asn.au.