76% of Australians would cut food and medicine for extra $20 housing costs
76% of Australians surveyed would cut spending on food and medicine if rent rose by $20 a week.
More than three-quarters of Australians would cut back on food, medicine, and other essentials if their rent or mortgage rose by $20 a week, a new survey has found. Everybody's Home, a national housing advocacy group, polled 1150 people between July and September and found the financial squeeze is deepening.
27 per cent of respondents said they would spend less on food, medication or bills to afford the extra $20. Almost half have already cut their energy use over the past year, and 38 per cent have avoided going to the doctor.
If housing costs keep rising, 27% worry they will have to move, 26% fear they cannot save for retirement, and 23% fear homelessness. Rental costs remain at record highs across most capital cities, with Sydney house rents up 5.7% year-on-year and Brisbane up 6.1%.
- 1150
- People polled
- 76%
- Would cut necessities
- 23%
- Fear homelessness
- 38%
- Avoided doctor
Why it mattersThe findings show how tight Australian household budgets are and reveal the real human cost of the housing crisis: people skipping healthcare and food to keep a roof over their heads.
AustraliaHousing stress is reshaping life decisions across Australia, from retirement plans to marriage, as renters and struggling owners cut basics to pay bills.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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