The average house price in Australia has surged to over eight times the average income, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to save for deposits.

Sarah, a 30-year-old nurse in Melbourne, finds herself unable to save for a home due to high living expenses, earning between $2,100 and $2,300 per fortnight.

She expresses frustration with both major political parties' housing plans, believing they fail to address the core issues of affordability.

Current housing policies from major political parties provide limited support to young, single professionals like Sarah, who are experiencing rental stress.

Financial educator Natasha Janssens points out that while the Coalition's policy may increase housing demand, it does not tackle the fundamental problems of affordability and risk for buyers.

The Coalition's policy proposes tax deductions on mortgage interest for first home buyers of new builds and allows access to $50,000 from superannuation for deposits.

In contrast, Labor's housing plan aims to raise caps on federal schemes, enabling first home buyers to secure mortgages with a 5% deposit and pledges to build 100,000 homes.

Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, stresses the importance of policies that focus on renters and social housing to address the broader housing crisis affecting more than just first home buyers.

Couples with dual incomes, like Zena and her partner, feel fortunate to consider home ownership, while many others remain locked out due to exorbitant prices.

Melissa Gielnik from Smart Lending acknowledges that the Coalition's new plan could benefit first-time buyers, especially those purchasing new builds, though skepticism persists among potential buyers.

Louise Smith, who has been saving for 20 years, shares her frustration with high house prices and advocates for regulatory measures to make housing more affordable.