Australia needs one million new affordable and social homes, researchers say
Addressing the shortfall in affordable and social housing will require governments to invest, advocates argue—but it's "entirely doable with political will". Read More
Housing
Expanding urban sprawl: Melbourne is getting the mix wrong
Victoria's obsession with urban sprawl means a constant supply of cheap new housing without angering existing residents. But while it's politically easy, there are big hidden costs. Read More
Australia needs to triple its social housing by 2036. This is the best way to do it
A tenfold increase in building is needed to overcome the current social housing shortfall and cover projected growth in need. But it can be done, and direct public investment is the cheapest way. Read More
Where are the big reforms for state government?
With elections just around the corner in Victoria and NSW, state governments must resist temptations to restrict housing development and promise untested infrastructure projects, says the Grattan Institute. These are just some of the ideas for state reforms contained in its new report. Read More
Now is the time for complacency: Bank of England vs Reserve Bank edition
Part two of Nicholas Gruen's exploration of how central banks use their statutory independence. For decades the "people's bank" was only accessible to the banking elite, and profits flowed accordingly, then came digital. Read More
Australian housing quality urgently needs to improve. Has this Japanese developer actually got it right?
Sydney’s iconic, and radically innovative green apartment block -- One Central Park -- has won a slew of global design prizes. Now its developer, Sekisui House, is taking its holistic philosophy to everyday dwellings in the suburbs and regions. Read More
Sustainable cities? Australia’s building and planning rules stand in the way of getting there
Councils and local groups are trying to make up for the shortfall in sustainable planning rules. Systemic change is needed to ensure Australian cities are equipped for the future. Read More
Grand designs: will NSW’s big social housing flip work?
There are signs social housing builds are finally changing for the better. But can good architecture change entrenched disadvantage and a punitive mentality towards welfare recipients? Read More
Australia’s generational wealth divide is biting
Home ownership rates are falling and debt is rising among Australia's younger generations, new HILDA survey data shows. There are questions about the sustainability of our retirement system. Read More
Predicting budget risks: house prices and nuclear war
The Victorian economy will likely continue its strong performance, thinks Treasury Secretary David Martine, barring a housing crash or nuclear war. Read More
The cross-border taskforce reviving housing policy
Bureaucrats across four jurisdictions must work fast to solve a policy problem put in the too-hard basket by successive governments: affordable housing. They were under pressure from the start. Read More
NRAS: ‘lack of understanding of regulations’
Administration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme "has not been effective", argues the auditor-general. It provides lessons for similar programs. Read More
Why Australia’s housing policy has a record of failure
Australia's housing system is not effectively alleviating poverty and housing affordability problems, policymakers have been told at the IPAA national conference. Plus why bureaucrats should be careful about devolving housing policy. Read More
The housing affordability challenge: start with the tax system
Reviving the Hawke-era Economic Planning and Advisory Council could help to increase housing affordability, one academic argues. Julian Disney says reform must start with the tax system. Read More
Tom Burton: Don’t mention the B word in Sydney
As NSW spends up big on infrastructure, health and education, no one seems to want to talk about the real estate bubble threatening to ruin the party. Read More