Increase social and affordable housing
Deliver 10,000 new social dwellings annually in Australia; prioritise affordable housing development in NSW
Rental Affordability Snapshot 2026
On the weekend of 14th - 15th March 2026, Anglicare conducted a Rental Affordability Snapshot, based on rental listings data provided by REA Group. The following report looks into the findings.
Key Findings
On the Snapshot weekend, 12,155 private rentals were advertised for rent in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra.
The number of listings has not returned to pre-pandemic levels
Each dot represents one of the 12,155 private rentals advertised on the Snapshot weekend.
8 were affordable and appropriate for a couple on the Age Pension.
7 were affordable and appropriate for a single person on the minimum wage.
3 were affordable and appropriate for a single parent with two children on the minimum wage.
0 were affordable and appropriate for a family with two children on JobSeeker.
Aaliyah's story
Aaliyah lives in private rental accommodation with her three young children and extended family members. She relies solely on the Parenting Payment as her source of income. Following family violence by her former partner, Aaliyah has been unable to secure alternative housing due to the severe shortage of affordable rental properties. As a result, she remains in an unsafe, overcrowded living arrangement.
Aaliyah has lived in the same rental property for around ten years. During this time, rent rose from $450 per week to $620. Rent is the largest expense in the household budget and is always the first bill she pays each fortnight.
After paying rent, very little income remains for essentials such as food, transport, clothing and medication. When unexpected costs arise, Aaliyah has limited flexibility and must cut back on these necessities for her family.
Aaliyah’s experience shows how rising rents trap low-income families long-term over time.
Affordable & Appropriate Rentals
Rentals affordable and appropriate for households on the minimum wage have decreased by 87% over 5 years
From 1,311 properties in 2021 to just 166 in 2026*
Regions of Sydney and The Illawarra
Which regions of Sydney and the Illawarra had the most and least affordable rentals for low-income earners?
0
1–4
5–23
24+
Most affordable areas
For minimum wage households
- Blacktown 39
- South West 27
- Outer West & Blue Mountains 25
- Outer South West 20
Least affordable areas
For minimum wage households
- City & Inner South 0
- Eastern Suburbs 0
- Northern Beaches 0
- Sutherland 0
Daniel's story
Daniel is 72 and lives with his wife in private rental accommodation in Greater Sydney. He is retired and relies on the Age Pension, supplemented by superannuation income. His wife has long‑term health issues, and the household lives on a fixed income.
Paying the rent is Daniel’s highest priority. Each fortnight, he budgets to ensure it is covered before other expenses. Living on a fixed income leaves little capacity to absorb rising costs, and Daniel worries about rent increases or being forced to move.
Financial pressure increased when Daniel’s adult daughter moved back into the household after being unable to sustain her own rental due to health problems and rising rents. While the arrangement provided family support, it also increased living costs.
Daniel’s experience highlights the precarious position of older renters on low incomes, for whom paying market rent alongside basic living costs makes housing security increasingly difficult to maintain.
What we can do
What Anglicare is doing
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Housing assistance
Affordable housing for seniors and housing assistance for families escaping domestic violence.
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Financial counselling
Free, confidential support to help manage debt, bills and financial hardship.
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Case management
Support coordination connecting people to the services they need to find and keep stable housing.
If you or someone you know needs help
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1
Reach out to Anglicare for a confidential conversation about your situation.
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2
Call 1300 111 278 to speak with our housing support team.
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3
Visit your nearest Anglicare centre — no appointment needed.
Read the full report
Download the complete Rental Affordability Snapshot 2026 report for the full findings and methodology. Download the complete tables of results for 2026 by Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4)
View previous Rental Affordability Snapshots