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

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.