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New polling on housing affordability for 2025 election

Screenshot of document front page. Polling Snapshot & ExplainerYWCA Australia has conducted national polling with Essential Research, capturing the views of over 1,000 young women and gender-diverse voters in key marginal electorates ahead of the 2025 Federal Election.

Some key findings from the polling

  • Three-quarters of young women have considered the risk of homelessness for themselves in Australia.
  • Almost half of young women don’t feel confident they could get government support if they became homeless.
  • 4 in 5 say they’re more likely to back a party that promises more safe, affordable housing.
  • 3 in 5 say they’re more likely to back a party that commits to establishing a national youth advisory group which brings their voices into housing and homelessness policy conversations.

For the first time, we have national data focused specifically on young women and gender-diverse voters – now a larger voting bloc than Boomers. With 65% of respondents stating housing policy will decide their vote, this is a group that cannot be overlooked.

The results also shine a light on how housing insecurity isn’t just a broad issue. It’s deeply generational, gendered, and intersectional. It’s young renters, domestic violence survivors, and trans and gender diverse Australians who are feeling the sharpest impacts.

With these insights, we encourage everyone to get involved with our Safe Homes, Equal Futures campaign—a national initiative addressing the housing crisis disproportionately impacting women and gender-diverse people across Australia. 85% of respondents support safe, affordable housing as the solution to the housing crisis for women and gender-diverse people.

Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election, YWCA Australia is calling on all candidates and parliamentarians to commit to tangible solutions that ensure women and gender-diverse people have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.

Our five-point plan outlines actionable steps to address this urgent issue:

  1. A legislated National Housing and Homelessness Plan delivering 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 providing immediate relief to those struggling in the private rental market.

Take action on women’s housing insecurity by getting involved in our campaign.

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YWCA Australia wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work, live and play and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise First Nations people as the custodians of the lands, seas and skies, with more than 60,000 years of wisdom, connection and relationship in caring for Country.

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