Housing costs and work locations in Sydney

This paper outlines the background and methodology of a study being conducted by the Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre at UWS in partnership with Shelter NSW, and the NSW Labor Council concerning the housing and work situations of low and moderate income 'key workers' in the health, transport, hospitality and finance sectors. Many jobs in these industries are located in areas of the city where housing is relatively expensive, yet pay low to moderate wages. Given the findings of other research concerning the incidence of housing stress for low income households in most parts of Sydney, it is hypothesised that these workers are either experiencing housing stress or incur the financial and time costs long journeys to work, or both. This study seeks to move beyond secondary statistical data to explore the housing and employment choices of such workers, and the interaction between these choices.