Housing and income inequalities in the city

Summary

This study shows that over the period 1986–2006, the income distribution in Melbourne polarised: the numbers of low and high income households increased while those with middle incomes fell. At the same time, the gap in median house prices between Melbourne’s highest and lowest cost Statistical Subdivisions more than doubled, which considerably restricted the potential residential location choices of Melbourne’s low income households. The net result is that this income inequality has become mapped onto the city, creating neighbourhoods of extreme advantage and disadvantage.


Project Number: 50382
Research Theme: Housing_affordability, Economics_Modelling, Urban_planning_and_development
Project Leader: Wulff, Maryann
Funding Year: 2007
Research Centre: Swinburne-Monash

Research and Policy Bulletin

Research & Policy Bulletin

Issue 138: Housing, inequality and the role of population mobility

Socio-spatial polarisation has increased significantly in Melbourne over the 20 year period 1986-2006. This polarisation can be attributed to the increasing gap in median housing prices across Melbourne, exacerbated by socio-economic migration of households into and out of very high and very low cost housing market areas.

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Description

A large body of Australian research has been concerned with the socio-spatial patterns that emerge from housing and labour market processes.  In as much as change, however, occurs through population movements, an approach that takes population mobility into account is required. This project directed attention to the role of population and household movements.

This project addresses an issue of contemporary importance that cuts across both housing and urban policy; demonstrates high quality empirical analyses with data covering 20 years; reveals the important value added component attached to large specialist data files; and engages policy makers and professionals in considering the implications of mobility for the efficient operation of the housing market.

More Information

Download now Final Report: No. 158: Housing, inequality and the role of population mobility
1 MB PDF Document

Download now Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 138: Housing, inequality and the role of population mobility
342 KB PDF Document

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