More than 30,000 people in South Australian homes who receive state assistance are struggling to pay their rental costs, according to the latest data from property lobby group Australians for Affordable Housing (AAH).
Roughly 86,000 people receive this payment, meaning 36 per cent of the total are still struggling to cope despite support from the Commonwealth.
AAH campaign manager Sarah Toohey pointed to these figures as clear evidence that Commonwealth Rent Assistance must be increased if it is to be effective.
"An increase in rent assistance of just $25 (£16) per week would lift more than 7,200 South Australians out of housing stress completely," she argued.
Housing costs are the single biggest expenditure for many Australians, Ms Toohey claimed.
Earlier in the month, AAH warned that a number of young people are now facing rental problems as the cost of accommodation soars across the country.
Posted by Steve Douglas