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The impact of Commonwealth Rent Assistance on low-income privately renting parents and children

Author

Listed:
  • Leishman, Chris
  • Hewton, Jack
  • Ong, Rachel
  • Washington, Lynette
  • Zhang, Rui
  • Liang, Weidong

Abstract

What this research is about: this research looked at how Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) affects low-income families who rent privately. It focused on housing, money, health and wellbeing outcomes for parents and children. It also looks at the role of CRA in reducing disadvantage passing from parents to children. The forms of disadvantage considered in the report include poor housing, financial, wellbeing and health outcomes. Why this research is important: CRA is Australia's biggest housing support program. It cost the federal government $5.5 billion in 2023-2024. However, there is little research on how CRA affects recipients and their children. This research helps to understand how effective CRA is at reducing disadvantage and improving wellbeing. It also shows how these effects pass to children of households that receive CRA.

Suggested Citation

  • Leishman, Chris & Hewton, Jack & Ong, Rachel & Washington, Lynette & Zhang, Rui & Liang, Weidong, 2025. "The impact of Commonwealth Rent Assistance on low-income privately renting parents and children," SocArXiv e94w5_v1, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:e94w5_v1
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/e94w5_v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Huang, Donna & Ong, Rachel & Pawson, Hal & Singh, Ranjodh & Martin, Chris, 2020. "Demand-side assistance in Australia’s rental housing market: exploring reform options," SocArXiv w75yx, Center for Open Science.
    2. Lina Hedman & David Manley & Maarten van Ham & John Östh, 2015. "Cumulative exposure to disadvantage and the intergenerational transmission of neighbourhood effects," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 15(1), pages 195-215.
    3. repec:osf:socarx:w75yx_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Matti Viren, 2013. "Is the housing allowance shifted to rental prices?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 1497-1518, June.
    5. Rachel Ong ViforJ & Hal Pawson & Ranjodh Singh & Chris Martin, 2024. "Analysing the effectiveness of demand-side rental subsidies: the case of Australia’s Commonwealth Rent Assistance scheme," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 75-97, January.
    6. Vivienne Milligan & Simon Pinnegar, 2010. "The Comeback of National Housing Policy in Australia: First Reflections," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 325-344.
    7. McNamara, Patricia & Harvey, Andrew & Andrewartha, Lisa, 2019. "Passports out of poverty: Raising access to higher education for care leavers in Australia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 85-93.
    8. Carrie Exton & Michal Shinwell, 2018. "Policy use of well-being metrics: Describing countries’ experiences," OECD Statistics Working Papers 2018/07, OECD Publishing.
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