Federal budget fails to help pensioners facing 'excessive' rent increase

Even a multibillion-dollar cost-of-living package in last night's federal budget won't help a Victorian pensioner who says she's being forced to leave her home after the landlord raised the rent 100 per cent.

"Overnight they just doubled the rent which I think is unfair," Joan from Geelong told A Current Affair.

Five pensioners call the same block of flats home and, if they want to stay, will have to find an extra $177 a week as their rent jumps to $350.

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"I don't mind paying an increase in rent because everybody's had to do that, but by over 100 per cent in one hit, not even incrementally, seems to be a bit excessive," pensioner Fred said.

Robert was so concerned he wrote to A Current Affair asking for help.

"It is impossible, I can't afford to pay this rent," the tenant said.

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Their situation lays bare a cost-of-living crisis that's putting pensioners on the poverty line.

"There's five of us that are on the pension, now that's five pensioners out on the breadline," Joan said.

"You know some of us might be homeless because they can't afford it."

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In last night's budget the federal government unveiled a cost-of-living package worth $14.6 billion, to go towards rent and bill relief for the most vulnerable.

Up to $31 extra a fortnight will be available for renters, or $2.21 a day for those already receiving rent assistance.

JobSeeker is set to rise by $40 a fortnight, or $2.86 a day, from September and up to $500 will go towards eligible households' rising electricity costs.

But the budget's boost won't cut it for renters like 71-year-old Joan.

She said losing her independence is what hurts the most.

"I'm going to live with my son temporarily until I can find somewhere else to live ... I went this morning for government housing and they said there's a waiting list because they're giving to homeless people first," Joan said.

If Joan's situation was to become dire she'd join a long queue already in line for social housing.

In Victoria, 57,672 are currently on the waitlist, 57,550 are trying to get affordable housing in New South Wales and 27,437 are waiting in Queensland.

In Tasmania, 4405 are waiting, in Western Australia the number is 19,081, the ACT has 3151 waiting and the Northern Territory has 5053 waiting for a home.

Ian Henschke from National Seniors Australia said older women are one of the fastest growing groups of homeless people.

"Around 20 per cent of Australians who are suffering pension poverty are living alone and renting and this is why we have to address this problem urgently," Henschke said.

"That increase in Commonwealth rent assistance is really just keeping up with some of the high rents that are out there."