Only 42 properties out of a total of 14,211 across greater Melbourne were affordable for low income singles and families, according to a snapshot of rental properties advertised over the weekend.

The Rental Affordability Snapshot was conducted by Anglicare Victoria as part of a national survey coordinated by Anglicare Australia.

General Manager Policy, Research and Innovation Dr Sarah Wise says the results make grim reading for low income earners.

“Less than 1 per cent of properties in greater Melbourne were affordable to students, young job seekers, single parents and two-parent families living on Centrelink payments,” said Dr Wise.

“Unaffordable public rentals means low-income youth and families are being pushed into accommodation that is inappropriate in terms of its stability, safety, habitability or location. The only other alternative is to do without other basic essentials such as heating, electricity and nutritious food.

“Even areas that are traditionally more affordable such as the City of Hume and the Shire of Cardinia are getting beyond the reach of people living on low income.”

Anglicare Victoria also completed a snapshot of properties in the regional Victoria area of Latrobe, incorporating towns such as Moe and Morwell.

“We found properties somewhat more affordable in Latrobe. Almost 30 per cent of advertised properties were within an affordable range for a couple with two children, 15 per cent were affordable for a single parent with two children and 11 per cent were affordable for a single parent with one child,” said Dr Wise.

“While the prospect of finding affordable accommodation may be better in rural areas, access to employment and family services is notoriously difficult.

Anglicare Victoria sister agency St Laurence Community Services completed the snapshot in Geelong and found just under 20 per cent of properties were affordable.

For the purpose of the Rental Affordability Snapshot, an affordable rental was one that took up less than 30 per cent of the household’s income, a commonly used benchmark of affordability.

Income figures are based on the maximum rate of Centrelink pensions and allowances combined with the Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA).

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