Precarious housing and health inequalities: what are the links?

Melbourne Citymission recently partnered in and launched research regarding health outcomes and precarious housing. The study was conducted by multiple research partners at Hanover Welfare Services, the University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide and Melbourne Citymission, each of whom made a significant contribution to the development, thinking, analysis and report writing.

The research shows a clear link between inadequate and unstable housing and poor health.

Some of the key findings include:

  • 10 per cent of Australian households live in unaffordable housing
  • Around 12 per cent of people reported difficulties paying their mortgage/bills
  • One in four people aged 18 to 24 and half of people older than 64-years-old in private rental experience housing stress
  • Unemployed people are 15 times more likely to live in unaffordable housing than full-time employed people
  • Women, Indigenous people and people born in non-English speaking countries are more likely to experience housing affordability stress
  • People with poor physical and mental health are more likely to experience forced moves from rental properties
  • Around 4 per cent of the Australian population live in unsuitable housing.

To read the full report, 'Precarious housing and health inequalities: what are the links?'click here.

Melbourne Citymission

Melbourne Citymission works with people experiencing disadvantage across Melbourne and Victoria. Every week we help thousands of people build a clear pathway away from economic exclusion and social isolation.

Our services support:

  • people to find a pathway out of homelessness
  • people with a disability to get the resources and support they need to live the life they want
  • people to break the cycle of poverty and abuse
  • people to find jobs, or enter into education and training.