Rents in country Victoria outpacing Melbourne, contributing to

23 April 2015 (embargoed until Friday 24 April)
Media release
Rents in country Victoria outpacing Melbourne, contributing
to homelessness
Low income earners in regional areas are at increasing risk of homelessness due to rising rents, says
the peak body for homelessness, with rents in some areas soaring 30-40% in just five years.
Rents for two- and three-bedroom houses in regional Victoria are increasing at a faster rate than in
metro Melbourne, and well beyond inflation, according to analysis of recent DHS data by the Council
to Homeless Persons. The median rent for a three-bedroom house in regional Victoria increased 17%
over the last five years, compared to a 13% rise across Melbourne over the same period.
The Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) says a housing affordability crisis in regional Victoria is
contributing to rising homelessness, with agencies seeing an increasing number of clients who are
struggling to keep up with the cost of housing. On Friday, CHP will hold a ‘Regional and Rural
Homelessness’ event at La Trobe University Bendigo to discuss homelessness in regional Victoria.
“Although it is still cheaper to rent outside of Melbourne, median rents are going up at a startling rate
and people on low incomes are really feeling the squeeze,” said Jenny Smith, CEO, Council to
Homeless Persons.
“A family on a low income looking for a cheap place to rent may find that many regional areas are outof-reach, or that they end up paying more than they can afford, with little left over for essentials such
as bills and groceries.”
“Working wages are generally lower in the regional areas, and Centrelink incomes have not kept pace
with inflation. As a result people are struggling to keep up with the cost of housing, and finding
themselves at risk of homelessness,” said Ms Smith.
CHP says inflation alone doesn’t explain soaring regional rents, with increasing competition for rentals
from seasonal workers, ‘treechangers’ and higher-income urban commuters also contributing. The
peak body says that homelessness agencies are also reporting an increase in the number of rooming
houses in regional areas, where previously there have been none.
Median rents for a 3 bedroom house in LGAs across regional Victoria (DHS Rent reports)
Local Government Area 2009 median rent 2014 median rent Difference % Increase over 5 years
Ararat
$170
$240
$70
41%
Strathbogie
$205
$280
$75
37%
Hindmarsh
$140
$188
$48
34%
Loddon
$150
$200
$50
33%
Golden Plains
$250
$330
$80
32%
Mount Alexander
$230
$300
$70
30%
Northern Grampians
$163
$210
$47
29%
Gannawarra
$150
$190
$40
27%
Hepburn
$240
$300
$60
25%
Macedon Ranges
$280
$350
$70
25%
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Murrindindi
Swan Hill
Colac-Otway
South Gippsland
Central Goldfields
Greater Bendigo
Mansfield
Mildura
Surf Coast
Latrobe
Wodonga
Alpine
Greater Geelong
Wangaratta
Campaspe
Horsham
Southern Grampians
Baw Baw
Buloke
Greater Shepparton
Mitchell
Moorabool
Benalla
East Gippsland
Ballarat
Corangamite
Moira
Wellington
Yarriambiack
$240
$200
$220
$203
$180
$240
$240
$215
$330
$200
$250
$220
$270
$225
$220
$220
$220
$240
$150
$240
$240
$250
$207
$230
$240
$200
$220
$220
$140
$300
$245
$270
$250
$220
$290
$290
$260
$395
$240
$300
$265
$320
$265
$260
$260
$260
$280
$175
$280
$280
$293
$243
$270
$275
$230
$250
$250
$160
$60
$45
$50
$47
$40
$50
$50
$45
$65
$40
$50
$45
$50
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
$25
$40
$40
$43
$36
$40
$35
$30
$30
$30
$20
25%
23%
23%
23%
22%
21%
21%
21%
20%
20%
20%
20%
19%
18%
18%
18%
18%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
15%
15%
14%
14%
14%
Media enquiries: Lanie Harris, Council to Homeless Persons, 0418 552 377
Regional and Rural Homelessness forum
Date: Friday 24 April, 9.30am
Time: 9.30am
Location: The Ironbark Centre, La Trobe University Bendigo, Edwards Rd, Flora Hill, Victoria
Interviews available by request:
 Jenny Smith, CEO, Council to Homeless Persons
 The Hon Lisa Chesters, Member for Bendigo
 Ken Marchingo, CEO, Haven Home Safe
 Alana Hulme Chambers, La Trobe University
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