Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need: Regional Snapshots

Households with low-incomes face significant housing pressures across Australia.

Estimates based on the 2021 Australian census indicate that over half a million low-income households were not in appropriate housing on census night. This is around one in fifteen households (6.6 per cent). These Australians were either experiencing homelessness, in overcrowded homes or spending over 30 per cent of their income on rent.

Projecting this unmet need forward indicates that, by 2041, a further 300,000 households will not be living in appropriate housing. This analysis presents details of need within each state.

Key Findings

The Community Housing Industry Association report found:

• On census night in 2021 Australian 640,000 low-income households were not in appropriate housing on census night. This is around one in fifteen households (6.6 per cent).
• These Australians were either experiencing homelessness, in overcrowded homes or spending over 30 per cent of their income on rent.
• Projecting this unmet need forward indicates that, by 2041, 940,000 households – or further 300,000 households – will not be living in appropriate housing.
• In WA this translates to at least 85,500 households in unmet need by 2041.
• To meet this need, stock will need to grow by between 2 – 9 per cent (or 200-900 dwellings) per year, per region, depending on the region.

Interactive Map (Unmet Housing Need (% of Total Households)

Report Link

Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need: Regional snapshots here.

Further Research

Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need: A National Snapshot is available here.

Media Release

Shelter WA released a statement to the media regarding the Western Australian figures in this report. Read it here.