Speech by Samantha Skinner, Anti-Poverty Network SA Campaigns Co-Coordinator, on 10 December at the SACOSS International Human Rights Day Briefing ‘Our rights, our future, right now!‘
Niina marni everyone,
I’m Samantha, and I’m honoured to represent the Anti-Poverty Network SA today to discuss the vital importance of a Human Rights Act and recognising housing as a fundamental human right.
At APNSA, we firmly believe that housing is not a privilege; it’s a basic human need.
I don’t think I’ll get any argument from anyone here or those on zoom when I say that Australia is experiencing a housing crisis.
Homelessness is on the rise, public housing waitlists are years long, and rental affordability and availability are at an all-time low. The housing crisis affects not just those sleeping rough but countless others in overcrowded, unsafe, or insecure housing.
South Australians who are low-income earners or those on social welfare payments are literally losing their homes, with many unable to meet their rental payments or their mortgage repayments.
Recently, one of APNSA’s prominent members (the Coordinator of our Northern Branch who volunteers tirelessly to assist those living in poverty), has been notified by their council of the forced sale of their property at auction due to getting behind on rate payments.
This is due to living in poverty long term and an unforeseeable major illness in the family. A position any family can end up in. And this isn’t because they can’t make repayments to missed rates, but rather they can’t meet the council’s rate payment demands, which are higher than they can afford. They cannot remortgage their home either and therefore their entire family is likely to experience homelessness in early 2025.
Can I just say Merry F*cking Christmas to Sara and her family.
Adelaide’s rental market is savage too, with the vacancy rate remaining under 1%, and rents that have surged by over 20% in the past three years. Less than 10% of advertised rentals are available for under $400 per week, leaving low-income individuals and families with limited or no options. The data paints a stark picture: only 1% of rentals are affordable for those on JobSeeker.
A home provides more than just shelter too; it offers security, dignity, and a foundation for all other aspects of life. Without stable housing, people face insurmountable challenges accessing healthcare, education, and employment. Yet, in South Australia and across the nation, housing is increasingly treated as a commodity rather than a human necessity.
In South Australia, over 7,000 people are homeless on any given night. Nationwide, that number swells to over 122,000. More than 15,000 South Australians are on the public housing waitlist, including over 3,000 in the highest-need category. Meanwhile, over 86,000 privately owned homes sit vacant, prioritised as investment opportunities rather than spaces for living.
These are not just numbers, each and every number represents individuals, families, and children in our communities who are being denied the stability and dignity they deserve.
Another salient statistic here in SA, between the 2016 census and the 2021 census homeless numbers increased by 19.3%!
Little wins aren’t enough and the numbers show that the housing crisis is getting worse, not better. And who are the biggest losers you may ask?
Well on census night 2021:
60% of people facing homelessness were under 35 years of age.
17,646 children across the country under 12 years of age were homeless.
What legacy are we leaving our young people?
These figures reflect a failure not only of policy but also of recognising housing as a right rather than a commodity. This perspective leaves many Australians at increased risk of insecure housing or homelessness, especially some of the most vulnerable. Think single parents, older women, young people, and of course Indigenous Australians.
As we’re meeting on the unceded lands of the Kaurna people; because Indigenous Australians face significant housing challenges rooted in historical injustices and systemic inequalities, and because they are disproportionately affected by housing stress compared to us non-Indigenous Australians, I will share some additional information about their households.
Data reveals that Indigenous households face higher rates of overcrowding and substandard housing conditions, compared to significantly lower rates among non-Indigenous households.
A considerable number of Indigenous homes in remote areas also have structural deficiencies and lack basic facilities, you know, adequate plumbing and heating. These conditions further exacerbate health disparities and economic challenges within Indigenous communities.
Shockingly, though not unexpected given the ongoing impacts of colonisation, Indigenous Australians are 14 times more likely to experience homelessness than non-Indigenous Australians.
The denial of adequate housing perpetuates cycles of disadvantage and undermines the ability of First Nations people to maintain connections to land, culture, and community.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, recognises housing as part of the right to an adequate standard of living. Yet, in this rich country of Australia, housing affordability and homelessness remain persistent challenges.
Currently, Australia is one of the few liberal democracies without a national Human Rights Act or Bill of Rights. This absence means that Australians cannot demand accountability for breaches of fundamental rights.
By introducing a Human Rights Act in South Australia, we can shift the conversation from treating housing as a privilege to recognising it as a legal and moral obligation.
Countries with strong human rights frameworks already provide us with a roadmap for what’s possible. In countries like Finland where housing is considered a human right they have significantly reduced homelessness by prioritising permanent housing solutions. A Human Rights Act could pave the way for similar reforms here in Australia, ensuring that housing is treated as a right, not a privilege.
And when housing is secure, the ripple effects are profound. Families experience better health outcomes, children perform better in school, and communities become more resilient.
Imagine an Australia where no one fears eviction or being forced to choose between rent and groceries. A Human Rights Act would not solve every problem overnight, but it would provide a crucial framework for tackling systemic inequities and creating a fairer society.
A Human Rights Act would compel governments to consider housing policies through the lens of human rights. Decisions such as public housing cuts, zoning laws, and rental regulations would need to align with the right to adequate housing.
Individuals whose housing rights are violated could seek remedies through the courts. Imagine a scenario where a family is evicted from public housing without fair process. With an Human Rights Act, they could challenge this injustice, ensuring no one is left without recourse.
Critics might argue that a Human Rights Act is too aspirational or difficult to implement. But I would argue that failing to act is far more costly. The social and economic costs of homelessness and housing insecurity, from healthcare expenses to lost productivity, are enormous. More importantly, the moral cost of allowing fellow Australians to live without dignity is unacceptable.
For Indigenous South Australians, a Human Rights Act could address systemic injustices by prioritising culturally appropriate housing that respects and strengthens connections to land and culture. It could ensure that First Nations voices are central to housing policy, acknowledging that the right to housing is deeply intertwined with the right to self-determination.
Implementing a Human Rights Act in South Australia would send a powerful message: that we value the dignity of every person and are committed to ensuring no one is left behind.
Imagine an Australia where no child had to sleep in a car.
Thank you for listening.
Anti-Poverty Network SA 