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08-May-2023 | Housing & Homelessness

SYC Data Highlights Demand for Housing Support

SYC has released a Data Snapshot from its RentRight SA service highlighting demand for rental market advice, information, and advocacy. The Data Snapshot sheds light on who is seeking advice and information, and the types of issues they’re facing in the current South Australian rental market.

SYC CEO, Mark Hoffman-Davis, said, "Nationally, as well as in South Australia, we’ve seen sustained record low vacancy rates, high rents, and a lack of supply, which is driving the rental crisis. Our Data Snapshot, drawn from our state-wide information and advocacy service—RentRight SA—highlights the experience of tenants in the rental crisis and quantifies the specific issues they’re facing in the rental market."

The Data Snapshot, based on information collected from more than 4,500 tenant enquiries to RentRight SA between July and December 2022, shows that:

• Close to 7 in 10 enquiries were received from those identifying as female
• Over 40% of enquiries were related to tenancy rights and responsibilities, with many of these enquiries being about end of lease issues
• More than 5% of callers presented as homeless, or at imminent risk of homelessness.

"We know that demand for our RentRight SA service is growing, and we expect that, as cost of living pressures intensify, we’ll see an upswing not only in demand, but also in the complexity of those seeking advice and support."

"A core issue driving the rental crisis is supply. There aren’t enough homes. Increasing supply is key to relieving the pressure on the rental market and creating affordable homes," said Hoffman-Davis.

SYC is committed to helping people achieve independence, opportunity, and wellbeing and has purchased land in Ridgehaven, SA, to develop 12 new homes. This initiative is essential to the organisation’s commitment to assist in addressing the housing affordability crisis. SYC will be looking for further development opportunities as part of its community housing expansion strategy.

"Access to safe, affordable housing is a fundamental human right, and we’re committed to doing our part to address the housing affordability crisis. We need to see government, nonprofits, and the private sector join forces and create more opportunities at scale for people to access safe and affordable housing. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling to find a place to call home." said Hoffman-Davis.

Download Data Snapshot