Poor-quality housing and low-income households Review of evidence and options for reform

Abstract

This report is about households on low and very low incomes—that is, those in the second and first quintiles of households by income—and the quality of the housing in which they live. In this report, these households are collectively categorised as ‘low-income households’.

Poor quality housing is negatively impacting on the lives of a significant proportion of low-income households, in terms of their health and well-being, as well as the financial burden of maintaining and repairing these
dwellings. The problems are particularly acute for renters in private housing, public housing and Indigenous housing. Renters in community housing report lower levels of dissatisfaction. There is also a sub-sector of low-income households with mortgages struggling with essential repair needs.

Report commissioned for Shelter NSW and conudcted by UNSW Sydney Built Environemnt City Futures Research Centre.