RENTAL affordability across regional Victoria is continuing to rapidly decline, hitting a historic low in 2024 with low-income earners bearing the brunt of the crisis, but the silver lining was that Hamilton was faring better than some other major regional centres.

The 10th annual National Shelter - SGS Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index (RAI) report was released last week and it revealed the average rental household in regional Victoria was now paying 28 per cent of the gross income of $84,203 if renting at the median rate.