Housing is a human right.
We need a housing system that puts the people’s needs first, rather than the profits of investors and landlords – a housing system where genuinely affordable, healthy, and secure housing is a right for all.
THE FACTS
We Face A Housing Emergency
Australia has one of the most expensive housing markets in the world.
Rents increased an average of 10% in 2021, and a further 10% in 2022, with huge rent rises continuing into 2023 and 2024 and 2025, well above increases to incomes. SA rents have increased 52% since COVID, and Adelaide’s got one of the tightest rental markets in the country, with a vacancy rate of less than 1%.
There are over 7,000 people homeless in SA, and almost 14,000 on the public housing waiting list, with over 3,000 of those people on Category 1.
This is unfortunately not surprising, when the state government has sold over 20,000 public homes over the last 2 decades to private buyers or investors. And to make matters worse, there are estimated to be thousands of empty homes that may be vacant in SA, according to the 2021 Census, for no reason aside from the whim of investors.
It’s been great times for landlords and investors, with huge, generous tax reductions like the ‘Negative Gearing’ and the ‘Capital Gains’ concessions, that not only cost us billions of dollars, but have contributed directly to this runaway housing market.
It’s not been so great for everyone else, especially those looking for somewhere to live, who are on the lowest incomes. Only 1% of rentals are affordable for someone on JobSeeker, according to Anglicare’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshots, and those on other Centrelink payments are struggling just as much.
Some Progress, But Rent Rises Are Still Out Of Control
We’ve seen some progress, but it’s not enough to fully address our rental affordability emergency.
The Malinauskas Government has committed to building 1,000 new public homes by the end of 2026, a start, but it barely make a dent to the level of demand, and its future targets fall well below what’s needed, even below what’s needed to match populatin growth. It’s still just a fraction of what we need, especially when analysis by Homelessness Australia indicates that SA, ultimately, has a shortage of 32,000 public housing homes.
We’ve seen action, thanks to community pressure, on making renting fairer, particularly the state government’s decision, as part of the Review of the Residential Tenancy Act, to end no-cause evictions and lease non-renewals, meaning landlords and real estate agents will have to provide a specific reason.
More is needed, including around ensuring that our homes are healthy homes, well-insulated, and well-maintained, but most of all, we need an end to unlimited rent rises. We need rent controls.
We know there are people being forced out of rentals, not because they are being evicted, but because it is impossible for them to afford the rent.
We cannot have a fair rental system, until we no longer have the huge, unlimited rent rises that are causing people to be unable to put food on the table or pay for medicines, or effectively be kicked out of their home, with nowhere to go.
Federally, the Albanese Government committed to building 30,000 public and ‘affordable’ homes, nationally, over the next 5 years. And while pressure from the Australian Greens and community organisations helped expand and strengthen this package, nevertheless, it is barely dent in the waitlist of over 163,500 people waiting for public housing, nationwide.
Australia has a public housing shortfall of over 520,000 homes, expected to grow to 671,000, by 2032. This is simply not good enough. We must fight for a housing system that puts people’s basic needs first.
Read our 2023 renters report, “I’m Scared Of My Next Rent Increase”, the results of a survey of 301 low-income renters.
Action on the housing crisis is a key part of our 2026 State Election Campaign, read more here.
OUR DEMANDS
Anti-Poverty Network SA is campaigning for:
An emergency rent-freeze, for at least 2 years, followed by strict rent controls.
The skyrocketing rents we have seen, have been devastating for renters, especially those on low incomes. A rent-freeze will allow struggling renters the chance to catch their breath.
A massive expansion of the public housing stock – at least doubling the current amount.
There simply aren’t enough public houses to meet demand, and demand is increasing faster than the government is expanding its stock. We need thousands of extra public homes, not hundreds.
An end to tax subsidies for investors – like ‘Negative Gearing’ and ‘Capital Gains’.
The revenue generated from scrapping these concessions can be used to fund the building of thousands of additional public homes.
Healthy homes and stronger rights for renters.
This means minimum standards for energy efficiency, heating and cooling, and housing quality and maintenance. No one’s home should be freezing in winter, and scorching in summer.
Greater regulation of short-term rentals (e.g., AirBnBs), including licensing, and levys.
Read our Position Paper on short-term rentals.
Action on the housing crisis is a key part of our 2026 State Election Campaign, read more here.
TAKE ACTION
There’s plenty of ways to help, and take action on Housing and Renting:
Contact your State MP – tell them why we need an emergency rent freeze, stronger protections for renters, and an expansion to public housing.
If you’re not sure who your state MP is, you can find out here.
If you can, request a meeting with them.
Contact the following key decision-making politicians:
SA Premier
Peter Malinauskas
e: premier@sa.gov.au
p: (08) 8429 3232
Housing and Urban Development Minister
Nick Champion
For the need for more public housing
e: ministerchampion@sa.gov.au
p: (08) 8235 5580
Consumer and Business Affairs Minister
Andrea Michaels
For an emergency rent freeze and renters rights
e: ministermichaels@sa.gov.au
p: (08) 7322 7060
We’ve got resources to help you lobby and pressure politicians, and a range of other useful resources for getting active, as well as our 2023 renters report “I’m Scared Of My Next Rent Increase”.
If you’re writing to the Premier, Minister Michaels, or your local MP, about why we need rent controls, check out our rent controls letter-writing guide.
Become a member of Anti-Poverty Network SA, and join us in campaigning!