Australia’s housing minister has turned down calls to raise support payments to help vulnerable tenants cope with surging rents.
This came after a report by the Productivity Commission indicated that government rent assistance payments failed to keep up with the ballooning rental market.
The commission suggested the federal government peg support payments to rents or frequently adjust them to deal with price increases.
However, Housing Minister Julie Collins said lifting rental payments was not on the government’s agenda.
“We are focused on delivering our election commitments,” she told ABC radio.
Report’s Findings
The commission’s report was released following a review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA), in which the federal government provides $1.6 billion (US$1.04 billion) each year to states and territories to improve Australians’ access to secure and affordable housing….