Frontline organisations supporting people impacted by Australia’s housing crisis have faced their worst summer on record, experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand, according to Everybody’s Home.
The national housing campaign’s ‘Under Pressure’ sector survey of dozens of frontline organisations found that nearly nine in ten (87%) had a major increase in workload during December and January compared to previous years, due to the worsening housing crisis.
The vast majority (98%) of organisations—including those in housing, homelessness, domestic violence, and other social and community services—reported increased workloads over the past year and expect demand to keep rising in 2025.
As a result of soaring demand for their help, three in four (76%) organisations reported more complex casework, seven in ten (72%) cited increased waitlists, while two in three (67%) said they’ve been unable to provide clients with long-term housing solutions. Three in five (63%) reported staff burnout and attrition as a major impact.
|
Impacts of increased workloads on organisations |
|
|
Increased casework complexity |
76.09% |
|
Increased waitlists / waiting times |
71.74% |
|
Unable to provide long-term housing |
67.39% |
|
Staff burnout or attrition |
63.04% |
|
Unable to meet client needs |
58.70% |
|
Budgetary constraints |
50.0% |
|
Fewer resources per client |
50.0% |
|
Reduced staff capacity |
45.65% |
|
Reduced program capacity |
32.61% |
|
Less time taken with each client |
21.74% |
|
Volunteer burnout or attrition |
19.57% |
|
Other |
13.04% |
Source: Everybody’s Home organisational survey. Impacts of increased workloads on organisations.
Of the organisations surveyed:
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Many have concerns about government action ahead of the federal election, with nearly two in three (65%) fearing that major political parties will fail to offer solutions that match the scale of the housing crisis
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Nearly six in ten rated financial stress (59%) and homelessness (57%) as the major impacts of the housing crisis on clients
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Meanwhile, more than one in four (26%) reported that clients remain in unsafe home environments due to a lack of alternatives
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Nine in ten said staff and volunteers (89%) are directly impacted by the housing crisis.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the findings paint a devastating picture of a sector in crisis, with services struggling to meet overwhelming demand.
“The services at the coalface of Australia’s housing crisis are at breaking point. They can barely keep up with the rising number of people facing housing stress and homelessness,” Ms Azize said.
“Frontline organisations are telling us this has been the worst summer for increased workload, as sky-high rents and the cost of living continue to smash Australians.
“With more and more people in need of help, frontline services are facing more complex casework, longer waitlists, and staff burnout and turnover. Record numbers of people are being turned away from the help they need because there are simply not enough resources to meet the demand.
“Organisations on the frontline are worried that the major parties will fail to offer solutions that match the scale of the housing crisis at this federal election. They want to see the federal government deliver real housing solutions that will ease housing stress and homelessness.
“This is a national emergency and it requires a national response. We need the federal government to end the massive social housing shortfall, scrap investor tax handouts, raise income support payments and protect renters from unfair rent increases. Without this urgent and necessary action, the housing crisis will never end.”
Media contact:
Sofie Wainwright 0403 920 301
Lauren Ferri 0422 581 506