Families with children are being shut out of the rental market across Logan–Beaudesert, with new data showing there are virtually no affordable options for those on low incomes.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot found that out of 741 rental listings in the region, just two properties were affordable and appropriate for households on income support, effectively zero availability.
For minimum wage earners, the situation is only slightly better.
Just 68 properties were considered affordable and appropriate, representing 0.8% of listings.
A closer look at the figures shows most family types are completely locked out.
Single people on JobSeeker, young people, and single parents, including those with one or two children, had no affordable and appropriate properties available at all.
Even among working households, access is extremely limited.
A single person on minimum wage could afford just three properties, while single parents on minimum wage had almost no viable options.
The only group with some access were couples with two children where both adults work full-time for minimum wage.
For them, 65 properties, or 9% of listings, were affordable and appropriate.
Every other household type, including couples on income support, had no suitable options.
Anglicare Southern Queensland chief executive officer Sue Cooke said the figures highlighted how little has changed for those doing it toughest.
“What stands out is just how little has improved for people doing it the toughest,” Ms Cooke said.
“While there’s been a slight increase of 37 rental listings in the Logan–Beaudesert region compared to 2025, there’s been no improvement in the number of affordable and appropriate homes available.”
Ms Cooke said families were being squeezed by rising rents and stagnant incomes.
“Income supports such as parenting payment and JobSeeker fail to cover the cost of private rent and even minimum wage households are struggling,” she said.
Ms Cooke said the lack of affordable options was forcing families into difficult situations.
“It means there are no properties in the region that someone can realistically afford without falling into rental stress.
“People are left making impossible choices such as cutting back on essentials like food or medicines, falling behind on bills, or accepting housing that’s overcrowded, unsafe or unstable.”
Across southern Queensland, the report found a similar pattern, with zero affordable and appropriate rentals for all households on income support and almost none for those on minimum wage.
Ms Cooke said demand for support was rising in Logan, with more families reaching crisis point.
“We have supported working families where both parents are earning an income but are unfortunately living out of cars with their children.”
While Logan–Beaudesert recorded a small increase in rental listings compared to last year, the data shows affordability has not improved, leaving many local families without realistic housing options.
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