Supporter Autumn 2021
Housing investment key to economic recovery
AnglicareSA’s Executive General Manager Housing and Homelessness Services, Michelle Gegenhuber, shares her thoughts on South Australia’s housing crisis.
It’s a great step to build on the incredible advances made in this space, particularly within such a short timeframe. However, more is needed. Both State and Federal governments must address the investment gap in social and affordable housing. Homelessness and social housing are not a destination. It is a vulnerable time in a person’s life when they need a safe home to regain their independence. The social and economic benefits which flow for families being securely housed have multi-generational impacts and significant system cost savings. Victoria and NSW have recognised the importance of this social infrastructure and announced significant investments. South Australia must do the same to avoid long-lasting economic impacts from the pandemic.
safety net for all South Australians. It is also an investment in kickstarting our economy through boosting jobs via the construction industry. Investment in community infrastructure such as social housing will increase jobs, economic stability and community optimism. Indeed, social and affordable housing represents the only investment that ticks all the policy goals for economic recovery. Decisive action is required in SA to stem the increasing demand in both the rental and home ownership market. While real estate agents are enjoying the strongest demand for properties in 10 years, those doing it tough or who have just lost their job are finding it the hardest in 10 years to secure an affordable home. The State Government released a Future Directions for Homelessness paper, aimed at creating collaborative relationships and concentrate efforts across government and community providers to address homelessness.
A recent report by Equity Economics commissioned by Everybody’s Home predicts the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a 24 per cent rise in housing stress and a nine per cent rise in homelessness. In 2020, many South Australians faced housing uncertainty for the first time. With no income to pay rent or support a mortgage, we became reliant on the goodwill of banks or sympathetic, understanding landlords. This is now being scaled back, leaving many unable to remain in their home. As these arrangements end, and unless there is concerted action, many more will be thrown into housing stress or homelessness; facing eviction and the inability to pay the mortgage. At the same time, our residential construction industry (one of Australia’s biggest employers) is facing uncertainty and a potential cliff mid-year. Creating accessible, secure, supportive housing options is now an essential
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