Nearly half of all residents in the Auburn Electorate are living in rented accommodation (48.8 per cent) compared to 30 per cent of people across Australia and 32 per cent in NSW, while almost 30 per cent of residents with a mortgage are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on mortgage repayments.
“This reinforces why life is often a struggle in the seat of Auburn,” Ms Voltz said.
She says there is often three generations living in two and three-bedroom rented accommodation to try to make ends meet.
“When you have huge numbers of refugees and those living on Safe Haven Visas without any hope for the future, it is no surprise to hear of 18 people sharing a two-bedroom flat which is just one example of the reality in Auburn,” she said.
“I hope this census starts ringing alarm bells for the NSW Government to start investing in infrastructure where it is most desperately needed to drive down inequality.”
Ms Voltz said the Census also revealed that while many live in Auburn looking for affordable accommodation, the reality is becoming less likely with rents much higher than the median at $450 a week, compared to $300 a week across Australia and $340 a week generally in NSW.
“When it comes to owning your own home, the numbers are even more stark,” she said.
“Only 19 per cent of Auburn residents own their property outright compared to compared to 31 per cent of people across NSW.”
Huge overcrowding action urged
AUBURN’S “enormous overcrowding problems” have been highlighted in the release of the 2021 Census, with State MP Lynda Voltz saying the figures are alarming and “more work is needed to alleviate this growing inequality”.