Submission to the People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis - 17 May 2024

Submission to the People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis 17 May 2024 About ACOSS The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is a national voice in support of people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality and the peak body for the community services and civil society sector. [...] ACOSS is pleased to submit the following for consideration by the Commissioners: • ACOSS’s Budget Priorities Statement Submission to the Treasury (January 2024), particularly sections 5, 8 and 9 regarding housing • ACOSS’s Submission to the Department of Social Service on the National Housing and Homelessness Plan (October 2023) • ACOSS’s Submission to the Senate inquiry into the worsening rental. [...] Increase the maximum threshold for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) by 60%, resulting in a 90% increase in the payment2, and ensure ongoing indexation to wage and price movements and benchmarking to actual rents. [...] Resource and ensure retrofitting of all existing social housing by 2030 and low-income housing to ensure it meets at least a 5-star energy efficiency rating, and is electric and renewable-powered, and prioritise the retrofitting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social housing. [...] People on low incomes are more likely to live in the least energy efficient homes, spend disproportionately more of their income on energy, and are at greater risk of illness and death.4 The budget’s $300 energy rebate will be the only cash support the majority of people on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance will receive.