The submission highlights that housing insecurity can cause long-term psychological distress and make it harder for people to access care, maintain relationships, and feel safe in their community. It also explains that these impacts are passed across generations, with children growing up in housing stress more likely to experience mental health challenges later in life. VMIAC is calling for governments to treat housing as a human right and an essential part of the mental health system, not just as an investment market.
VMIAC has called on the Australian Government to:
- Build more social housing
Increase the supply of safe, affordable, and accessible social housing connected to local communities. - Fix the rental system
Improve renter protections, create fairer rental laws, and reduce housing speculation and hoarding. - Raise income support payments
Ensure payments reflect the real cost of living and housing. - End homelessness through long-term solutions
Invest in lasting housing and support systems instead of short-term crisis responses. - Fully fund supported housing systems
Work with states and territories to provide supported housing linked with mental health and psychosocial support. - Reduce reliance on the NDIS for housing support
Create publicly funded housing and support systems outside the NDIS that are easier to access. - Treat housing as a mental health issue
Recognise safe, stable housing as essential mental health infrastructure and a key part of recovery and wellbeing.