“It’s a lot more difficult to get on your feet,” he said.
“When you’re losing a fair amount of your wage to rent, you can’t have some of the things other people your age might have access to.
“I find I save for months before I can buy certain things.”
Mr Hood said the rising cost of housing was becoming an increasing challenge across the country.
“It’s sort of a universal problem everywhere you go,” he said.
His comments come as the Everybody’s Home’s 2026 Priced Out report found regional Australia was no longer a rental refuge, with housing becoming increasingly unaffordable outside capital cities.
The report found renters in Greater Shepparton earning $40,000 could spend 70 per cent of their income on housing, while those earning $70,000 could pay almost half their salary in rent.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the figures reflected a broader trend across regional Australia.
“Essential workers, professionals, and even those on six-figure salaries are finding it harder to pay the rent right across the country,” she said.
“Rising rents are costing Australians more of their working days and pay than ever before.”
Beyond Housing chief executive Celia Adams said the organisation was seeing the impacts of rising housing costs locally, with almost 1800 people seeking homelessness assistance at its Shepparton location in the past year.
Beyond Housing is the main entry point for homelessness assistance in Greater Shepparton, assisting with housing applications and connecting them with food, clothing, health, youth, cultural and family violence services.
“Over the past 12 months, the median rental price has risen 4.2 per cent,” Ms Adams said.
“The cost of living is similarly increasing, while wages and government supports are rising at a much slower rate.”
Ms Adams said the pressure could have far-reaching effects on people’s lives.
“It can lead to severe mental strain and having to choose between paying the rent and paying for other essentials such as food or healthcare,” she said.
“It can also lead to social isolation, as people cannot afford to participate in their community in sport and hobbies.”
On a wider level, Ms Adams said rental pressure could affect the whole community.
“It puts intense pressure on support services, and can lead to the displacement of regional workers, as people move to areas where rent is more affordable,” she said.
For those unable to secure housing, finding somewhere to stay remains increasingly difficult despite the presence of Beyond Housing in the community.
“The harsh reality is, however, that there is no crisis accommodation in the area, and caravan parks and motels are often full or unaffordable,” Ms Adams said.
17°C