Australia spends billions of dollars more on tax breaks for property investors than on social housing, homelessness and rent assistance combined, according to research by the Australian Council of Social Service (Acoss).
The analysis comes as new data from the Productivity Commission reveals the share of homes dedicated to social housing has dropped to a record low 3.6%, from 5.7% in the 1990s.
The collapse in accessible homes for low-income families coincides with an affordability crisis that has seen rents soar, waitlists for social housing blow out and rising homelessness.
A week after the OECD called on the Albanese government to boost its investment in social housing, research by Acoss reveals that tax concessions for landlords cost $12.3bn in 2025.
In contrast, total expenditure on the key housing assistance programs totalled $9.6bn.
Reporting by Patrick Commins and Cait Kelly.
