Housing inequity in Australia 'must focus beyond age'

Housing advocates have warned the government to not neglect growing wealth inequalities among people under 35. (Facebook: Community Housing Industry Association NSW)

The Australian Council of Social Services has called for a focus on the wealth divide both within and across generations.

It comes after the Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity.

The federal government must consider age and wealth together to meaningfully address the growing wealth divide between generations, says The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS).

It comes after a Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing in Australia.

ACOSS said older households held the majority of the country's wealth.

ACOSS said people under 35 hold just 7 per cent of the country's wealth. But the wealthiest 10 per cent of households own 25 times as much as the lowest 60 per cent on average.

Ms Phillips says there is a growing wealth gap within younger cohorts, which is higher than in previous generations.

"And recognise the significant wealth inequalities within generations, which is most pronounced in the young generation."

National renting group Better Renting said renting should be seen as an essential service in Australia.

Chief executive Angela Cartwright said the majority of the community believed landlords should provide affordable, comfortable and safe housing.

But three years on from the federal government announcing 'A Better Deal for Renters', she said only the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria have implemented new minimum energy-efficiency standards for rentals.

The policy included developing a nationally consistent policy on no-grounds evictions, limiting rental increases to once a year and phasing in minimum quality standards for rental properties.

Victoria's new energy efficiency standards include improved ceiling insulation, draught proofing and cooling.

It also announced upgrades to heating, hot water, and shower-head standards.

While the ACT has energy efficiency measures for ceiling insulation.

With changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax coming in this year's federal budget, we spoke to three experts who explained how this will impact rental prices.

Ms Cartwright said governments across jurisdictions had failed to meet the community's expectations on renting.

The renters' advocacy group has called on the federal government to fund incentives for landlords to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, while protecting renters from evictions and rent increases.

It said the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC