News
13 May, 2025
Housing hope fading
New housing data has revealed alarming statistics for Moreton Bay and Somerset, including that there are no properties in Moreton Bay and north Somerset that meet the 30 per cent of household income cut-off for affordability.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed 8,646 rental properties from the Queensland–New South Wales border, north to Bundaberg, and west to the Northern Territory border. The research used the Queensland statistical areas, level 4 (SA4) maps to define regions.
Of the 703 properties surveyed in the Ipswich SA4 region, which includes Esk, Toogoolawah, Lowood and Fernvale, there was only one unique property (0.1 per cent) affordable and appropriate for singles or families on income support. Only 25 per cent (174 properties) of the 703 properties surveyed were affordable and appropriate for those on minimum wage.
In the Moreton Bay SA4 region (North and South), which includes Moreton Bay, Kilcoy, Linville and Somerset Dam, 799 properties were surveyed, with only 2 (0.3 per cent) being affordable and appropriate for singles or families on income support. Only 13.3 per cent (106 properties) of the 799 properties surveyed were affordable and appropriate for those on minimum wage.
The research also showed there is not one household category in the Ipswich SA4 area in which the median rent falls below the 30 per cent benchmark for affordability. In the Moreton Bay North and South SA4 areas, there are no affordable properties for those on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance.
The data also revealed a single person on Youth Allowance living in Moreton Bay SA4 will pay 110 per cent of their income to match the weekly median rent for a one-bedroom property, and 94 per cent of their income in a share house.
Of the overall 8,646 rental properties surveyed across Southern Queensland, only 0.5 per cent were affordable and appropriate for households on income support, and only 7.7 per cent were affordable and appropriate for those on minimum wage.
Anglicare Southern Queensland CEO, Sue Cooke, says it’s disappointing to see no real improvement – in fact, deterioration – in the overall rental affordability data in the past 12 months.
“The lack of safe, affordable and appropriate housing is not just a housing issue – it’s a community issue and it’s one that becomes a greater problem each year,” Ms Cooke said.
“We’re seeing more of our most exposed citizens – our youth, young families and single mothers – being the ones hardest hit by the lack of affordable and accessible housing. The human cost of rental stress and unaffordable housing is huge, and it’s a key driver of homelessness.
“Our report shows those unable to secure housing, including young people, can be forced into couch surfing, unsafe accommodation or remaining in situations of family violence,” she said.
The report also showed youth homelessness (aged 12–24) has continued to rise across SEQ since 2019.
The research showed Moreton Bay SA4 region (which includes Moreton Bay and northern Somerset) has seen a 6.8 per cent increase in youth homelessness between 2016 and 2021, with 316 youth experiencing homelessness out of a total of 1,433 homeless people in the area (22.1 per cent).
In the Ipswich SA4 region (which includes southern Somerset towns), a 39.3 per cent increase in youth homelessness was recorded between 2016 and 2021, with 415 youth experiencing homelessness out of a total of 1,503 homeless people (27.6 per cent).
“Our concern is, with the rental affordability issue deepening each year, unless there is immediate and concerted government action, important efforts such as the youth homelessness build will be barely a dent in the size of the problem,” Ms Cooke said.
“While governments have made some progress to address the homelessness issues in Queensland, more needs to be done.”
Ms Cooke added Anglicare Southern Queensland is calling for an immediate increase in investment in social and affordable housing, particularly for young people, along with an increase in the JobSeeker and Youth Allowance rates, to the same level as the pension.
To view the full report visit https://cutt.ly/nrzIE95Z.
