Rental properties unaffordable for many Territorians

In the lead up to the 2022 Federal Election, Anglicare NT joins Anglicare Australia as it calls on all parties and candidates to take action on housing affordability. Anglicare NT today releases the 2022 Rental Affordability Snapshot, which shows that the private rental market is failing Territorians on low incomes.

On the Snapshot weekend of 19 March 2022, 434 private rentals were advertised for rent in the Northern Territory. Of these properties:

  • No properties were affordable for singles, single parents or couples with children living on the JobSeeker payment
  • No properties were affordable for singles aged over 18 on Youth Allowance in the NT
  • Only 2% of properties were affordable for couples on the Age Pension, with no properties affordable for singles on the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension
  • Regional areas like Katherine and Alice Springs are even more unaffordable than Darwin/Palmerston.

In the Northern Territory, individuals and families on low incomes have been left behind and locked out of the private rental market. With the private rental market failing so many people, we must invest in homes for people who need them most.

Ending our affordable housing shortfall would be the most powerful way to tackle our rental crisis – and boost our regional economy. Governments at every level must work together to end this shortfall.

According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the Northern Territory has a shortfall of 6,700 social and affordable rental properties (1,600 in Darwin and 5,100 in the rest of the Territory). By 2036, that number is expected to grow to 14,400.

Anglicare NT is also calling for an increase to the rate of JobSeeker and other payments to help people on the lowest incomes find a secure home. These people need more support and we need a real plan to tackle homelessness.

Anglicare NT provides services that help young people, adults and families to establish stable housing environments, maintain tenancies and access transitional accommodation as required. In addition, Anglicare NT provides some emergency relief support services and case management.