News

As we continue to reflect on Homelessness Week and the urgent need for collective action, it is important to also reflect on the impact our housing crisis is having on children.

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s (BCEC) Child Poverty in Australia 2024 report paints an alarming picture, revealing that over 90,000 children—more than one in seven—live below the poverty line in WA, largely due to soaring housing costs. 

House values have risen more than 50% in WA since the pandemic, well above the national average of 32.5%, while the rental market has tightened considerably with vacancy rates below 1% and weekly rents up 53.8% (compared to 32.4% nationally), adding an extra $266 a week to the median rental value.    

Soaring housing costs, alongside rising interest rates and the cost of living, have disproportionately affected low-income families and their children, with researchers predicting that an additional 21,000 children are likely to fall below the poverty line in 2024 as a result.

The impact of housing stress and poverty on children’s development is dire and can affect life outcomes across several domains well into adulthood.  For example, children who experience poverty and housing stress are 8% more likely to remain in poverty and 11% less likely to be employed.  The BCEC’s findings echo Anglicare WA's research on poverty and child development.

As the richest state in one of the richest countries in the world, it is unacceptable so many children are living in poverty.  That is why we need urgent systemic change.  The federal government must legislate to end child poverty; provide adequate income support; and more social and affordable housing.

If you would like to help end child poverty, please check out the Valuing Children Initiative’s End Child Poverty Campaign. 

You can also learn more about income support and affordable housing via Raise the Rate and Everybody’s Home.