Social Futures is calling for stronger Federal Budget investment in social housing and income support to help create a fairer Australia. The organisation is urging the Federal Government to double the Housing Australia Future Fund and increase income support payments, warning that inadequate housing availability and skyrocketing living costs are placing more Australians at risk of housing insecurity and homelessness.
Social Futures says the upcoming Federal Budget is an opportunity to create a fairer Australia through increased investment in social housing and stronger support for people on the lowest incomes.
Across the Northern Rivers, demand for housing continues to significantly outpace supply, with more people struggling to secure safe, stable and affordable homes.
Social Futures is calling on the Federal Government to expand long-term investment in social housing by increasing the Housing Australia Future Fund from $10 billion to $20 billion, helping to grow social housing to at least 6 per cent of national housing stock.
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said increasing social housing supply is essential to addressing rising homelessness and housing insecurity, particularly in high-need regional communities.
“In regions like the Northern Rivers, we continue to see housing demand far exceed supply, while rising rents and living costs are pushing more people into crisis.”
“The Housing Australia Future Fund has already started to demonstrate its value in helping drive new housing projects, but the scale of the housing crisis means Australia needs a much larger and longer-term investment pipeline.”
Mr Davies said increasing social housing to 6 per cent of housing stock would bring Australia closer to comparable OECD countries, where social housing makes up a significantly larger share of the housing system.
“Australia has one of the lowest levels of social housing in the developed world. Expanding supply is critical if we want a fairer housing system and stronger communities.”
Social Futures said future investment should continue to prioritise regions experiencing disproportionately high rates of homelessness and housing stress.
Alongside increased housing investment, Social Futures is also calling for an increase to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related income support payments to better support people experiencing financial hardship.
“When people cannot afford basic essentials, the risk of homelessness increases significantly.”
“An increase to income support payments would help those on the lowest incomes to live safely and navigate a path out of poverty.”
Secure housing and adequate income are closely connected to broader community wellbeing. When people are struggling to afford housing or essentials, pressures increase in other areas including mental health, family wellbeing, or ability to seek employment. This flow-on effect makes long-term stability harder to achieve.
Mr Davies said stronger income supports, combined with social housing investment and community-based services, would help reduce pressure on crisis systems and support better long-term outcomes.
“Housing is only part of the solution. People also need adequate income and access to local support services that can help them stay housed and connected to community.”
Social Futures will continue working alongside sector partners, peak bodies and government to support practical, place-based solutions that respond to both national priorities and the realities facing regional communities.
