Approximately two thirds of public rental housing tenants are
not participating in the labour force - that is, neither working
nor seeking work, according to a report released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
'Unemployed tenants, as well as those working part time but
wanting to work more hours, emphasised their need for training,
education or experience to help them access work opportunities',
said Alison Verhoeven, Head of the Institute's Housing and
Disability Group.
'One of the guiding principles of the Commonwealth State Housing
Agreement is to support individuals and families to engage fully in
society and the economy. However, the targeting of those in
greatest need has meant that those households that meet the
criteria for assistance are often those which have fewer
opportunities in the job market', Ms Verhoeven explained.
The report, Labour force participation in public rental
housing in Australia, showed that about 7% of public housing
tenants work full time, a further 18% work part time and 23% are
unemployed.
'The unemployment rate among public rental housing tenants is
considerably higher than in the general population where only 4% of
are unemployed', Ms Verhoeven said.
'The highest proportion of unemployed tenants were under the age
of 34, but the greatest number of unemployed tenants was in the
35-44 year old age group', Ms Verhoeven said.
These tenants were also most likely to be a sole parent.
'Notwithstanding the high overall unemployment rate, tenants in
over 80,000 households would like to increase their work activity,
should their barriers to employment be addressed', she said.
Many tenants listed the need for further training, education or
experience as a strong influence on their situation.
Younger female tenants with children were more likely to report
the need to remain at home to care for children as the main reason
for not being in full time work.
The report showed that that there was a relationship between the
type of accommodation tenants had before moving into public housing
and their employment status.
'Those who had been in private rental accommodation before
entering public housing were more likely to be working full time,
whereas those who had been homeless were more likely to be
unemployed', Ms Verhoeven said.
The report concludes that while the specific circumstances of
tenants should be taken into account, strategies aimed at improving
workforce activity in the general population could be applied to
those in public rental housing.
Friday 24 October 2008
Further information: Alison Verhoeven, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1089, mob. 0407 915 851
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of Labour force
participation in public rental housing in Australia.