Perverse incentives leave young Australians locked out of community housing, study finds

Researchers find providers stand to lose 46% of possible income if they rent to young people compared with those on higher welfare payments

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Thousands of young people are missing out on a safe place to live each year because community housing providers get more rent from older adults, research has revealed.

The lead author of the University of NSW research, Dr Ryan van den Nouwelant, said providers stood to lose 46% of the possible rental income if they chose a young person over an adult on a higher social security payment.

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