CANBERRA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Australian children living in private rental homes move almost every two years on average and struggle more with overcrowding, affordability and housing quality than other children, according to research released Thursday.
The study, commissioned by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, found that by age 14, a child living in a private rental had moved an average of six times, compared with a little over twice for children in owner-occupied homes and just over four times for those in social housing.
About 18 percent of households with children in private rentals were late on a housing payment, compared with about 7 percent of households with a mortgage, the research showed, noting that around 10 percent of children in private rentals experienced overcrowding, compared with 3-4 percent in owner-occupied homes.
Between 2001 and 2023, the proportion of households with children living in homes owned outright fell 52 percent, while those in social rentals dropped 46 percent and private rentals rose 20 percent, according to the study.
The findings suggested renting was largely not a choice, as only 7 percent of households with children said they preferred it and 8 percent cited its flexibility, while most were unable to access home ownership.
"There is a growing evidence base positioning housing as a critical determinant of children's physical and mental health, behavioral outcomes, developmental vulnerability and educational attainment," said research lead Amy Clair, associate professor at Australia's Adelaide University.
The findings were particularly concerning because housing disruption could compound other disadvantages during key developmental transitions, such as starting school, Clair said, adding that housing problems also remained concentrated among lower-income and First Nations families. ■