Housing insecurity and precarious living: an Australian exploration

In this report, we focus on one aspect of housing, which we term ‘housing insecurity’, and the way in which this interacts with other types of insecurities to constitute ‘precarious living’. In particular we explore the ways in which precarious living is associated with adverse effects in terms of mental and physical health problems, low levels of social connectedness and the transmission of disadvantage across generations. The research findings suggest that we need to ‘do something different’ to address the dimensions of housing insecurity being experienced by lower income renters, using the full range of policy tools available to governments. Providing greater housing security, with its financial and psycho-social benefits, for renters as well as home owners, is central to any policy development around social inclusion in Australia.