Housing inequity in Australia 'must focus beyond age'

The Australian federal government must adopt a more holistic approach to tackling the widening wealth gap between generations, according to the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS). ACOSS argues that age and wealth must be considered together to create meaningful change, following a Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing.

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This is not just an ownership problem. We need to look at age and wealth together.

Older households currently possess the majority of Australia's wealth, while those under 35 hold only 7 percent. The wealthiest 10 percent of households own 25 times more than the lowest 60 percent on average. Jacqueline Phillips from ACOSS emphasized that the issue is not solely about ownership but requires a combined look at age and wealth. She also noted a growing wealth disparity within younger cohorts, which is more pronounced than in previous generations.

"We must pay attention to the vast inequities in housing that are not based on age," Ms. Phillips stated. "And recognise the significant wealth inequalities within generations, which is most pronounced in the young generation."

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We must pay attention to the vast inequities in housing that are not based on age. And recognise the significant wealth inequalities within generations, which is most pronounced in the young generation.

Meanwhile, the national renting advocacy group Better Renting is pushing for renting to be recognized as an essential service. CEO Angela Cartwright expressed that most Australians believe landlords should provide affordable, safe, and comfortable housing. However, despite the federal government's 'A Better Deal for Renters' initiative three years ago, only the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria have implemented new minimum energy-efficiency standards for rentals. These standards include improvements to insulation, draught proofing, and heating, hot water, and shower-head systems. Better Renting calls on the federal government to incentivize landlords for energy efficiency upgrades while protecting renters from evictions and rent increases, stressing that the current situation is systemic and unfair.

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The word inequity is crucial here. It doesn't just speak to the inequality in the housing system, it speaks to the fact that this is systemic. It is the responsibility of governments to fix it. So Inequity is something that is unfair and can be changed.