Renters in Macarthur are paying thousands of dollars more this year to keep a roof over their head, making it harder and harder to get ahead at a time when wages have flatlined.
The median cost of rental properties in Greater Sydney has increased by 5.5 percent over the last 12 months, but some Macarthur suburbs are outstripping this trend.
In St Andrews, rentals increased by 8.5 percent in the 12 month period.
Labor MP Dr Mike Freelander says that after almost a decade in government, housing affordability has only got worse under the Liberal-National Party, especially for families, students, pensioners, and young people who rent in our community.
He points to the figures supplied in the September edition of the Domain Rental Report, which paint a grim picture for renters in our region.
In Oran Park, the median rental price in September was $550 a week, up from $510 a year earlier, a hike of 7.8 percent or $2,069 over 12 months.
The biggest increase was in St Andrews where the median weekly rental was $434 in September 2021, compared to $400 a year earlier.
That’s an 8.5 percent annual increase or $1,768.
Harrington Park went up to $620 from $575, a 7.8 percent rise or $2,332.
In Rosemeadow, the median rental in September was $420, compared to 12 months earlier when it was $389, a 7.7 percent hike or $1,561.
Airds saw rentals go up to $400 from $372 in the year, a 7.4 percent rise or $1,433.
“Scott Morrison likes to pretend this is not a problem, and that proves how out of touch he really is,’’ says Dr Freelander.
“This is the biggest cost that thousands of people in our community pay each week and they are struggling to keep up.
“From childcare and petrol to out of pocket health costs and rent, families in Macarthur know that it’s harder to get ahead under the Morrison Government.
“Labor has a real plan to make sure Australia builds back from this pandemic stronger, more self-reliant, more inclusive,’’ Dr Freelander said.
“This includes building more affordable housing.’’
Jason Clare, Labor’s shadow minister for housing and homelessness said an Albanese Labor Government will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund which will build 30,000 social and affordable homes across the country.
Over the first five years, it will build 20,000 new social housing properties, including 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness.
Also, 10,000 affordable homes for the heroes of the pandemic – frontline workers like police, nurses and cleaners that kept us safe in the pandemic.
