The housing crisis is a growing problem in Australia, with a particular focus on social housing. The story of Lynette Poole, a 71-year-old disability pensioner, highlights the dire situation many face on the waiting list for social housing. Poole has been waiting for 11 years in NSW, and 185,000 people nationally, for a place to call home. Her situation is made more difficult by her complex medical needs, including a chronic heart condition and diabetes, which her doctor has been urging the authorities to address for nearly 18 months. Despite her best efforts, including updating her application with her granddaughter's notice to move out, the process has been delayed, leaving her and her granddaughter in a precarious situation.
Poole's story is not an isolated incident. Homelessness Australia's Kate Colvin points out that many people are on the brink of sleeping rough, often due to the lack of affordable housing. The median cost of a one-bedroom unit in Urunga, where Poole lives, is $400, but she receives only $645 a week from her pension and rent assistance. This leaves her unable to afford food and medical bills, further exacerbating her situation.
The issue of social housing is a complex one, with a steady decline in the number of social housing households as a proportion of Australian households. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the proportion has dropped from 4.8% in 2011 to 4.1% in 2024, with an average of 7% across OECD countries and 8% in the European Union. This decline is further compounded by the fact that the cost of construction has rapidly increased post-COVID, making it difficult to deliver affordable housing.
The federal government has invested $45 billion in 55,000 social and affordable homes by 2029, but this is not enough to meet the growing need. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council has recommended that social housing reach 6% as a medium-term goal and 10% in the long term. In NSW, the state government has a $6.6 billion program to build social and affordable homes, but it is acknowledged that this will not meet every single person's needs.
The underlying issue is a lack of investment in social housing over decades. Colvin emphasizes that building social housing is the single most important thing the government can do to address homelessness. It provides an immediate fix to the problem of people not being able to find homes they can afford. However, the current situation is dire, and the wait times for social housing are up to 10 years, leaving people like Poole in a state of distress and uncertainty.
In conclusion, the housing crisis, particularly the lack of social housing, is a pressing issue in Australia. It affects not only the elderly and those with complex medical needs but also the broader community. The government's efforts to address the issue are welcome, but more needs to be done to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. The story of Lynette Poole serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the housing crisis and the urgent need for action.
