Budget must address housing insecurity for women and gender-diverse people

Gender-responsive housing must be a national priority in this budget, as women, particularly single mothers, older women, and young women, continue to face escalating housing insecurity, according to Kate Whittle, General Manager of Advocacy and External Affairs at YWCA Australia.

“While there is growing sector-wide support and a willingness from the government to act, what we need now are tangible solutions to ensure women and gender-diverse people have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.”

“Without urgent action, this crisis will only worsen, leaving more people without the stability they desperately need,” said Ms Whittle.

The call comes ahead of Australia’s budget announcement on 25 March, with YWCA requesting an allocation of funds to tackle this issue.

For young Australian women like Alannah, a resident at YWCA, access to safe and secure housing has been life-changing.

After years of instability, moving from place to place while dealing with the lasting impacts of domestic violence and mental health challenges, she finally found security in a YWCA community housing property. For the first time, she felt safe and could see the possibility of a positive future.

Alannah’s story reflects a broader reality: Australia’s housing crisis disproportionately impacts women.

YWCA Australia has long advocated for gender-responsive housing to be embedded into national policy. Their Women’s Housing Framework, an Australian-first, provides a model for designing, acquiring, and operating housing specifically for women.

An organisation of action, YWCA recently launched the $15.7 million affordable housing development in Adelaide’s CBD will prioritise survivors of family and domestic violence, offering 24 long-term rental apartments at 75% of market rate.

In the Northern Territory, YWCA Australia is working to develop a social and affordable housing complex at its existing site in Darwin, engaging key stakeholders and local residents to ensure the project meets the community’s needs.

To address this urgent issue, YWCA Australia’s five-point plan outlines actionable steps they hope the budget will support:

1. A legislated National Housing and Homelessness Plan that delivers 20,000 additional social and affordable homes over five years, with a specific focus on housing women and gender-diverse people.
2. Stronger investment in regional housing, ensuring at least 30% of federally funded social and affordable housing is built outside metropolitan areas to address the unique challenges faced by regional communities.
3. Sustained funding for gender-responsive housing and family violence services to meet the growing demand and ensure no one is left behind.
4. A National Youth Advisory Group to amplify the voices of young people in shaping housing policies that directly affect their futures.
5. Fairer rental conditions through improved rental standards and increased Commonwealth Rent Assistance to provide immediate relief to those struggling in the private rental market.

Last month, YWCA Australia launched the Safe Homes, Equal Futures campaign, calling on all sides of government to make housing equity a bipartisan priority ahead of the election.

YWCA Australia is also moving forward with long-term affordable housing projects that include wrap-around services.

“We look forward to working closely with the government, and we’re hoping the upcoming budget will finally deliver the tailored housing solutions women and gender-diverse communities need to ensure everyone has the safe, secure and affordable housing they deserve to thrive.” said Ms Whittle.

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Interviews are available with Kate Whittle, please feel free to reach out.

For interviews contact Kristie Lin at kristie@fiftyacres.com

Visit the campaign page to learn more about Safe Homes, Equal Futures.