The Everybody’s Home campaign to fix the housing crisis says the Fleurieu economy has lost more than $200M due to the shortage of affordable housing.

A special report commissioned by the campaign directors linked the ‘economic hole’ to increased rents, low housing vacancy rates and unfilled job vacancies.

The study also examined the Queensland Sunshine Coast, NSW South Coast, Launceston-North East Tasmania and Geelong/Surf Coast in Victoria.

It found rents have increased on the Fleurieu by 48 percent since March 2020 and over the same time the job vacancy rate has increased by 119%.



“The chronic lack of affordable housing in regional Australia/community is more than a social crisis. It’s now a deep economic crisis as well,” said Kate Colvin, national spokesperson for the Everybody’s Home campaign.

“The inability to find a rental and eye watering rent increases for the few places available is deterring people from taking up jobs in regional communities. Employers tell us constantly that prospective employees tell them they can’t move to the community if they can’t find a place to live.

“Our completely lopsided housing system is choking off the economic potential of regional Australia. The connection between housing and jobs needs to be at the very top of the agenda for the employment summit next week.

“Expanding social and affordable housing by building an additional 25,000 new dwellings per year would give people on modest incomes more choice. It would relieve serious pressure on our housing system and give regional communities the chance to flourish economically.

“We need a better-balanced housing system that supports social inclusion and fosters economic growth. The housing needs of Australian workers warrant serious attention at the employment summit.”

You can read the report in full here