Becky was priced out of a home. This is how she got one
Then she was referred for a place in community housing with support services. Her stress levels fell, she has a smart apartment and, more than a year on, she feels more able to manage working and parenting.
She's not alone. More employed people are seeking out homelessness services, a new report finds, as record rents across the country add pressure to the housing crisis.
The Mission Australia report found that of the 2323 people at risk of homelessness who accessed its support services in the past five years, one in 10 were employed. That number jumped to one in seven over 2024, indicating more working Australians were struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Mission Australia deputy chief executive, Ben Carblis, said demand for the non-denominational Christian charity's housing support had grown 52 per cent over the past 12 months. 'What that shows is with the increase in the cost of living … the number of people at risk of homelessness is rising quite a lot.'
Domain data show median house and unit rents were at record highs in every capital city other than Darwin in the June quarter. Asking rents for houses were $780 per week in Sydney, $580 in Melbourne, $650 in Brisbane and $700 in Perth. Asking rents for units were $740, $575, $620 and $620, respectively.
Lois was referred to Mission Australia and has since moved into community housing run by the charity. She said she feared she was priced out of living in Sydney.
'My ex-husband was providing financial support for me and my son above and beyond what he had to do, but that had to end at some point, and I'm not a high-income earner,' Lois said. 'It was so stressful it was affecting my long-term health.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Chalmers faces ‘Keating moment' as business slams company tax plan
Australians would face higher-priced groceries and fuel under an 'experimental change' to the nation's company tax system, some of the country's loudest business voices have claimed in an attack that could kill a plan the Productivity Commission believes will lift the nation's living standards. As one of the proponents of a 5 per cent cashflow tax on all businesses said that winning support for the concept would be Treasurer Jim Chalmers' 'Paul Keating moment', a group of organisations – including the Business Council, the Insurance Council, the National Farmers' Federation, the Minerals Council and the Tech Council of Australia – slapped down the plan. On Friday, the commission released its recommendations to overhaul the company tax system under which the current 25 and 30 per cent rates would be sliced to 20 per cent for all firms with a turnover of less than $1 billion. The cashflow tax would apply to all companies, but its impact would be reduced by firms investing more heavily in new technology, equipment and buildings. While it would have a neutral effect on the federal budget, the nation's 500 largest firms, including multinationals such as Netflix, Apple, Transurban, Amazon and News Corp, would pay more tax. The commission estimates the tax switch will boost the economy by $15 billion and lift productivity. But 24 separate business organisations used a joint statement to completely reject the cashflow tax as an experiment that risked putting more financial pressure on Australians. 'While some businesses may benefit under this proposal, it risks all Australian consumers and businesses paying more for the things they buy, [like] everyday groceries, fuel and other daily essentials,' they said.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Chalmers faces ‘Keating moment' as business slams company tax plan
Australians would face higher-priced groceries and fuel under an 'experimental change' to the nation's company tax system, some of the country's loudest business voices have claimed in an attack that could kill a plan the Productivity Commission believes will lift the nation's living standards. As one of the proponents of a 5 per cent cashflow tax on all businesses said that winning support for the concept would be Treasurer Jim Chalmers' 'Paul Keating moment', a group of organisations – including the Business Council, the Insurance Council, the National Farmers' Federation, the Minerals Council and the Tech Council of Australia – slapped down the plan. On Friday, the commission released its recommendations to overhaul the company tax system under which the current 25 and 30 per cent rates would be sliced to 20 per cent for all firms with a turnover of less than $1 billion. The cashflow tax would apply to all companies, but its impact would be reduced by firms investing more heavily in new technology, equipment and buildings. While it would have a neutral effect on the federal budget, the nation's 500 largest firms, including multinationals such as Netflix, Apple, Transurban, Amazon and News Corp, would pay more tax. The commission estimates the tax switch will boost the economy by $15 billion and lift productivity. But 24 separate business organisations used a joint statement to completely reject the cashflow tax as an experiment that risked putting more financial pressure on Australians. 'While some businesses may benefit under this proposal, it risks all Australian consumers and businesses paying more for the things they buy, [like] everyday groceries, fuel and other daily essentials,' they said.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
1400 batteries in a day: Aussies soak up solar subsidy
Australian households are installing solar batteries at record rates, with more than 19,000 registered in a month. Figures released on Friday by market analysis firm SunWiz indicated consumers could more than double the number of home batteries installed in a single year, with NSW households leading the pack. The unprecedented adoption comes one month after the launch of the federal government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which offered discounts of 30 per cent on the technology. But buyers might need greater protections to prevent providers from exploiting the popularity of the scheme, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned, and should compare several quotes before joining the trend. Analysis of the first month of the scheme showed more than 19,000 households registered batteries, SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said, peaking at 1400 batteries added in a single day. "In just one week, Australians installed more battery capacity than in the entire first two months of 2024," he said. If installations continued at the same pace, he said, households could install more than 220,000 batteries this year, up from 72,500 in 2024. Home batteries installed during July were also larger than typical, with an average capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours compared to between 10 and 12kWh. "Many households recognise this may be a one-time opportunity to access a significant subsidy and they're using it to invest in larger batteries," Mr Johnston said. Households in NSW made up more than a third of those to register batteries under the scheme (38 per cent), followed by Queensland (23 per cent) and South Australia (15 per cent). Most consumers installing batteries already used solar panels. The figures were revealed as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its Electricity Inquiry Report, which found households with solar panels and a battery installed saved an average of 40 per cent on energy bills. Typical electricity users paid $1565 per year for electricity, the report found, while those with both a battery and solar power paid $936. But greater safeguards should be introduced to protect consumers as demand for battery installations increased, commissioner Anna Brakey warned, and the commission would closely scrutinise businesses and offers. "We believe additional consumer protections are needed as more Australians participate in markets for new and emerging energy services," she said. "Consumers looking to take advantage of the new subsidies for solar home batteries to lower their energy bills should take their time and not feel pressured to rush in straightaway." The government would hold consultations into retail price protections and cross-market manipulation following the report, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said. Australian households are installing solar batteries at record rates, with more than 19,000 registered in a month. Figures released on Friday by market analysis firm SunWiz indicated consumers could more than double the number of home batteries installed in a single year, with NSW households leading the pack. The unprecedented adoption comes one month after the launch of the federal government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which offered discounts of 30 per cent on the technology. But buyers might need greater protections to prevent providers from exploiting the popularity of the scheme, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned, and should compare several quotes before joining the trend. Analysis of the first month of the scheme showed more than 19,000 households registered batteries, SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said, peaking at 1400 batteries added in a single day. "In just one week, Australians installed more battery capacity than in the entire first two months of 2024," he said. If installations continued at the same pace, he said, households could install more than 220,000 batteries this year, up from 72,500 in 2024. Home batteries installed during July were also larger than typical, with an average capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours compared to between 10 and 12kWh. "Many households recognise this may be a one-time opportunity to access a significant subsidy and they're using it to invest in larger batteries," Mr Johnston said. Households in NSW made up more than a third of those to register batteries under the scheme (38 per cent), followed by Queensland (23 per cent) and South Australia (15 per cent). Most consumers installing batteries already used solar panels. The figures were revealed as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its Electricity Inquiry Report, which found households with solar panels and a battery installed saved an average of 40 per cent on energy bills. Typical electricity users paid $1565 per year for electricity, the report found, while those with both a battery and solar power paid $936. But greater safeguards should be introduced to protect consumers as demand for battery installations increased, commissioner Anna Brakey warned, and the commission would closely scrutinise businesses and offers. "We believe additional consumer protections are needed as more Australians participate in markets for new and emerging energy services," she said. "Consumers looking to take advantage of the new subsidies for solar home batteries to lower their energy bills should take their time and not feel pressured to rush in straightaway." The government would hold consultations into retail price protections and cross-market manipulation following the report, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said. Australian households are installing solar batteries at record rates, with more than 19,000 registered in a month. Figures released on Friday by market analysis firm SunWiz indicated consumers could more than double the number of home batteries installed in a single year, with NSW households leading the pack. The unprecedented adoption comes one month after the launch of the federal government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which offered discounts of 30 per cent on the technology. But buyers might need greater protections to prevent providers from exploiting the popularity of the scheme, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned, and should compare several quotes before joining the trend. Analysis of the first month of the scheme showed more than 19,000 households registered batteries, SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said, peaking at 1400 batteries added in a single day. "In just one week, Australians installed more battery capacity than in the entire first two months of 2024," he said. If installations continued at the same pace, he said, households could install more than 220,000 batteries this year, up from 72,500 in 2024. Home batteries installed during July were also larger than typical, with an average capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours compared to between 10 and 12kWh. "Many households recognise this may be a one-time opportunity to access a significant subsidy and they're using it to invest in larger batteries," Mr Johnston said. Households in NSW made up more than a third of those to register batteries under the scheme (38 per cent), followed by Queensland (23 per cent) and South Australia (15 per cent). Most consumers installing batteries already used solar panels. The figures were revealed as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its Electricity Inquiry Report, which found households with solar panels and a battery installed saved an average of 40 per cent on energy bills. Typical electricity users paid $1565 per year for electricity, the report found, while those with both a battery and solar power paid $936. But greater safeguards should be introduced to protect consumers as demand for battery installations increased, commissioner Anna Brakey warned, and the commission would closely scrutinise businesses and offers. "We believe additional consumer protections are needed as more Australians participate in markets for new and emerging energy services," she said. "Consumers looking to take advantage of the new subsidies for solar home batteries to lower their energy bills should take their time and not feel pressured to rush in straightaway." The government would hold consultations into retail price protections and cross-market manipulation following the report, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said. Australian households are installing solar batteries at record rates, with more than 19,000 registered in a month. Figures released on Friday by market analysis firm SunWiz indicated consumers could more than double the number of home batteries installed in a single year, with NSW households leading the pack. The unprecedented adoption comes one month after the launch of the federal government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which offered discounts of 30 per cent on the technology. But buyers might need greater protections to prevent providers from exploiting the popularity of the scheme, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned, and should compare several quotes before joining the trend. Analysis of the first month of the scheme showed more than 19,000 households registered batteries, SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said, peaking at 1400 batteries added in a single day. "In just one week, Australians installed more battery capacity than in the entire first two months of 2024," he said. If installations continued at the same pace, he said, households could install more than 220,000 batteries this year, up from 72,500 in 2024. Home batteries installed during July were also larger than typical, with an average capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours compared to between 10 and 12kWh. "Many households recognise this may be a one-time opportunity to access a significant subsidy and they're using it to invest in larger batteries," Mr Johnston said. Households in NSW made up more than a third of those to register batteries under the scheme (38 per cent), followed by Queensland (23 per cent) and South Australia (15 per cent). Most consumers installing batteries already used solar panels. The figures were revealed as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its Electricity Inquiry Report, which found households with solar panels and a battery installed saved an average of 40 per cent on energy bills. Typical electricity users paid $1565 per year for electricity, the report found, while those with both a battery and solar power paid $936. But greater safeguards should be introduced to protect consumers as demand for battery installations increased, commissioner Anna Brakey warned, and the commission would closely scrutinise businesses and offers. "We believe additional consumer protections are needed as more Australians participate in markets for new and emerging energy services," she said. "Consumers looking to take advantage of the new subsidies for solar home batteries to lower their energy bills should take their time and not feel pressured to rush in straightaway." The government would hold consultations into retail price protections and cross-market manipulation following the report, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
