Brutal Reality: The Human Cost of Australia’s Housing Crisis

This report explores the experiences of community members navigating Australia’s housing system, and the organisations who support them. Across Australia, concern about the housing crisis has never been greater. Asking rents have been rising steadily for decades, and have surged to extreme levels over recent years. More households are in housing stress, and severe housing stress, than at any other time in our history. And the shortfall in social housing has peaked at record-highs as waiting lists stretch longer than anyone thought possible. Amidst these statistics are the experiences of people. More and more are missing out on the dream of a home, including renters who have been forgotten and ignored in debates about housing for years. They now face a housing market that has never been less affordable or more volatile as they are forced to spend record amounts to keep a roof over their heads. This survey has been conducted in response to these conditions. To better understand the impact of Australia’s overheated housing system on people’s lives. Authors This report is based on surveys of Everybody’s Home individual campaign supporters and partner organisations. The author is Maiy Azize. Read the web report here.

© 2026 Shelter WA. All rights reserved. ABN 43 436 576 540. Shelter WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their ongoing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to the Elders past and present and emerging. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and our recognition and acceptance of your invitation to walk with you towards a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
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