Browse reports by project

Positioning Paper No. 153: Assets, debt and the drawdown of housing equity by an ageing population

Thu, 16 May 2013

This Positioning Paper is the first output of a project that aims to uncover the uses, financial costs and risks of housing equity withdrawal (HEW) via alternative mechanisms by older Australians.

Research Paper International measures to channel investment towards affordable rental housing: Austrian case study

Fri, 10 May 2013

This report is part of a research project that has been commissioned by the Western Australian Government. The project reviews international models that use public subsidies and incentives to attract large scale commercial finance to supply affordable housing. This report provides the findings of stage 2A of the research. It has engaged key local experts; interviewed financiers, providers and policy-makers and analysed evidence to assess the effectiveness of private finance in Austria.

Research Paper International measures to channel investment towards affordable rental housing: English case study

Fri, 10 May 2013

This research has been commissioned by the Western Australian Government to describe and assess international models for financing the supply of affordable housing that use public subsidies and incentives to attract large scale commercial finance to the supply of affordable housing. This report provides the findings of stage 2B of the research which uses expert interviews and desk research to assess the growth and effectiveness of private finance in England.

Final Report No. 207: Housing and social inclusion: a household and local area analysis

Wed, 8 May 2013

This project aimed to investigate the nature of housing experience among socially included and excluded households, including in different types of local areas, and to contribute a housing perspective to social inclusion and exclusion research and policy nationally and internationally.

Final Report No. 206: How integrated are homelessness, mental health and drug and alcohol services in Australia?

Mon, 6 May 2013

The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of the extent and ways in which homelessness, drug and alcohol, and mental health services are working together to provide services to clients with particular emphasis on the needs of homeless people.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 162: What influences pathways into and out of social housing and how can mobility support positive housing outcomes?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Pathways and choice in a diversifying social and affordable housing system.

Final Report No. 205: The cost of homelessness and the net benefit of homelessness programs: a national study – Findings from the Baseline Client Survey

Tue, 16 Apr 2013

This is the first of two Final Reports from the present AHURI Cost of Homelessness study. It outlined the methodological framework for the study, described the homelessness support environment and reported on the Baseline Client Survey, including a preliminary analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the programs examined and the extent to which it is possible to identify quasi-experimental comparison groups for the target treatment groups.

Positioning Paper No. 152: The housing security consequences of underemployment

Tue, 9 Apr 2013

This Positioning Paper introduces a research project that aims to provide an Australia-wide analysis of the consequences of underemployment for housing security. It thereby explores the connection between an increasingly important but problematic feature of contemporary labour markets (underemployment) and a crucial dimension of housing research and policy (housing security).

Final Report No. 204: Understanding leadership, strategy and organisational dynamics in the not-for-profit housing sector

Tue, 2 Apr 2013

This study examined decision making, leadership and organisational dynamics in the Australian not-for-profit housing sector, drawing on international studies and experts.

Final Report No. 203: Bridging the divide: householder and service provider experiences of forced exits from private rental in Queensland

Thu, 21 Mar 2013

This project focused on forced exits from private rental amidst increasing public concern about the impacts of shortages of appropriate, affordable private rental housing for lower-income households, and pressures in the social housing system to deliver appropriate, timely temporary and transitional housing to householders in need.

Final Report No. 202: Financing rental housing through institutional investment—Volume 1: outcomes from an Investigative Panel

Tue, 19 Mar 2013

This Investigative Panel considered private financing models that can deliver additional supplies of quality, well located rental housing in areas of need that is affordable to low- and moderate-income households. This included provision initiated by both for–profit and not–for–profit providers, as well as cross sector partnerships.

Final Report No. 202: Financing rental housing through institutional investment—Volume 2: supplementary papers

Tue, 19 Mar 2013

Final Report No. 201: Housing and children's development and wellbeing: evidence from Australian data

Mon, 4 Mar 2013

This research built on a recent scoping study on child development to understand whether housing factors play an important role in child development and wellbeing.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 161: What role does assertive outreach play in ending homelessness for people who are sleeping rough?

Mon, 25 Feb 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project The role of 'assertive outreach' in addressing primary homelessness.

Final Report No. 200: Lifetime and intergenerational experiences of homelessness in Australia

Thu, 21 Feb 2013

The research examined the prevalence of intergenerational homelessness in Australia and found that almost half of those currently receiving homelessness assistance had parents who themselves experienced homelessness. Prevention and early intervention programs, especially those oriented to Indigenous people are critical in breaking the cycle of intergenerational homelessness.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 160: How would proposed reforms in the Henry Tax Review affect housing affordability for private renters and property owners?

Fri, 15 Feb 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Modelling the impacts of the Henry Review tax recommendations on housing supply and affordability.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 159: What effect does housing assistance have on social inclusion for people with disabilities?

Wed, 6 Feb 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Housing assistance, social inclusion and people with a disability.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 158: What influences the outcomes of affordable housing projects?

Mon, 28 Jan 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project How sustainable are Australia's contemporary affordable housing projects?.

Final Report No. 199: The role of informal community resources in supporting stable housing for young people recovering from mental illness: key issues for housing policy-makers and practitioners

Fri, 25 Jan 2013

This project aimed to enhance understanding of the role of informal community resources in supporting stable housing and social inclusion for young people recovering from mental illness.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 157: How is social housing best delivered to disadvantaged Indigenous people living in urban areas?

Mon, 21 Jan 2013

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Service integration and Indigenous housing.

Final Report No. 198: Cost-effective methods for evaluation of Neighbourhood Renewal programs

Wed, 12 Dec 2012

This project compared the house price profiles before and after the introduction of Neighbourhood Renewal programs to consider the impact of these programs on perceived amenity (as proxied by house prices).

Final Report No. 197: Resident third party objections and appeals against planning applications: implications for higher density and social housing

Tue, 4 Dec 2012

Final Report No. 196: Home and safe? Policy and practice innovations to prevent women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence from becoming homeless

Sun, 25 Nov 2012

This research project investigated ‘joined up’ approaches to homelessness prevention for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

Final Report No. 195: Affordable housing, urban renewal and planning: emerging practice in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales

Fri, 16 Nov 2012

Final Report No. 194: Australian Indigenous house crowding

Tue, 30 Oct 2012

This research project developed a model of Australian Aboriginal house crowding in order to provide policy-makers with ways to predict, measure and manage Aboriginal household overcrowding.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 156: How does the concept of social inclusion play a role in housing policy?

Fri, 5 Oct 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Housing, public policy and social inclusion.

Final Report No. 192: Housing affordability, housing stress and household wellbeing in Australia

Tue, 11 Sep 2012

This project examined whether there is a link between measures of housing stress (using the 30:40 rule) and other measures of social and economic wellbeing.

Positioning Paper No. 151: Cost-effective methods for evaluation of Neighbourhood Renewal programs

Tue, 4 Sep 2012

This project compares the house price profiles before and after the introduction of Neighbourhood Renewal programs to consider the impact of these programs on perceived amenity (as proxied by house prices).

Final Report No. 193: Delivering diverse and affordable housing on infill development sites

Tue, 28 Aug 2012

This Investigative Panel explored barriers and solutions to infill housing in two capital cities as a means of increasing supply of affordable housing.

Positioning Paper No. 149: The Australian private rental sector: changes and challenges

Mon, 20 Aug 2012

This project responds to the need for more up-to-date information about the state of the private rental markets and in particular the effects on households of long term private rental.

Positioning Paper No. 150: Downsizing amongst older Australians

Thu, 16 Aug 2012

This project aims to understand the extent of downsizing amongst older Australians, who is doing it, and the motivations, obstacles and financial and social consequences of downsizing.

Final Report No. 191: Quantifying planning system performance and Australia's housing reform agenda: an Investigative Panel

Thu, 12 Jul 2012

The panel drew on experts from the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand to benchmark Australian planning systems and housing outcomes against comparable international indicators and practices, enabling policy learning.

Positioning Paper No. 148: Marginal rental housing in Australia

Tue, 26 Jun 2012

The aims of this project are: to present a clearer picture of the experiences of low-income renters residing in marginal housing; to understand the weaknesses and strengths of legislation and regulations in different states, territories and local government areas; and to establish a typology of marginal renters that has utility for policy-makers.

Final Report No. 190: Addressing concentrations of disadvantage: policy, practice and literature review

Thu, 21 Jun 2012

Through a review of the relevant academic and policy literature, this report aims to critically revisit both the conceptual thinking and the research evidence that have shaped academic and policy interest in the drivers, outcomes and potential means of addressing concentrations of social disadvantage.

Final Report No. 189: Moving home: conceptual and policy implications of the housing-mobility nexus

Tue, 12 Jun 2012

This Essay asks whether there is a link between housing policy and residential mobility, and what housing policy makers might need to know to better anticipate and meet the needs of households as they move.

Research Synthesis Report Brochure for practitioners

Tue, 12 Jun 2012

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 155: How can secure occupancy in rental housing be improved in Australia?

Tue, 29 May 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Secure occupancy in rental housing: a comparative analysis.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 154: How should government respond to affordability problems in regional and rural housing markets?

Tue, 22 May 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project The drivers of housing supply and demand in rural and regional centres.

Final Report No. 188: Housing Supply Bonds-a suitable instrument to channel investment towards affordable housing in Australia?

Thu, 17 May 2012

This research project draws on international evidence, experts and financial modeling to explore the possibilities of utilizing bond finance as a means of expanding affordable housing in Australia. In particular, it adapts the Austrian model of Housing Construction Convertible Bonds to the Australian context.

Final Report No. 186: Pathways into and within social housing

Mon, 14 May 2012

The study’s principle aim was to chart a range of pathways into and within the current Australian social housing system at a time of significant changes to the sector, including the expansion of community housing, the introduction of common access systems in a number of states, and increased targeting of social housing towards those in greatest need.

Research Synthesis Report What makes a difference? Building a foundation for nationally consistent outcome measures

Tue, 17 Apr 2012

This project sought a solid, credible basis for measuring the effectiveness of homelessness services. It assumed that an effective service creates successful results for people experiencing homelessness, results which make a difference. To identify which results, which 'client outcomes', make a difference, the project used the international research evidence base and input from experienced practitioners and policy-makers.

Positioning Paper No. 147: The role of community housing organisations in meeting the housing and support needs of people who are homeless

Mon, 16 Apr 2012

This study builds on previous AHURI research on the community housing sector to examine the role of Community Housing Organisations (CHOs) in addressing homelessness in the context of the current expansion of the sector.

Final Report No. 187: Sustaining home ownership in the 21st century: emerging policy concerns

Thu, 12 Apr 2012

This Essay critically examined whether high rates of home ownership can be sustained into the next century and the policy settings that are optimal to enable people to access and retain ownership of their homes.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 153: What does the residual income method tell us about housing affordability in Australia?

Mon, 2 Apr 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Residual incomes in Australia: analysis and implications.

Final Report No. 185: Community Land Trusts and Indigenous housing options

Fri, 23 Mar 2012

This report presents the findings of AHURI-funded research into the potential relevance of models based on Community Land Trusts (CLTs), one form of hybrid tenure, for the Indigenous housing sector. The aims of the project have been to tease out relevant aspects of CLTs as developed overseas and to investigate their resonance with and applicability to Indigenous housing policy objectives, with a practical focus on their potential operation in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 152: Building new housing in remote Indigenous communities

Tue, 20 Mar 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Remote Indigenous housing procurement and post-occupancy outcomes - a comparative study.

Positioning Paper No. 146: Social inclusion and housing: towards a household and local area analysis

Wed, 7 Mar 2012

This paper is the first from an Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute-funded 2010–12 research project, Social inclusion and housing: a household and local area analysis, whose overall aim is to investigate the nature and role of housing in generating social inclusion/exclusion for households in different types of local areas.

Final Report No. 184: Policy shift or program drift? Implementing Housing First in Australia

Thu, 1 Mar 2012

This Essay critically analysed how the Housing First approach can be successfully applied to the system of supported housing in Australia.

Final Report No. 183: Developing sustainable affordable housing: a project level analysis

Thu, 23 Feb 2012

This study examines how contemporary Australian affordable housing projects are designed, financed, developed and managed. The study aims to deepen understanding and raise awareness of the various trade-offs that shape the design and development of affordable housing projects in Australia, and to suggest ways in which such trade-offs can be managed to deliver outcomes that are socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. The study also offers a tool for project-level evaluation of affordable housing.

Final Report No. 182: The spatial and distributional impacts of the Henry Review recommendations on stamp duty and land tax

Tue, 21 Feb 2012

This report is the second Final Report of a project that examines the impact on supply and affordability from implementation of the Henry Review recommendations in relation to negative gearing, land tax and stamp duty. This report aims to assess the extent to which the Henry Review recommendations on stamp duty and land tax would affect the costs of purchasing and holding properties across geographical locations, and offers estimates of their capitalisation into land values.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 151: Addressing the stigmatisation of social housing

Wed, 15 Feb 2012

This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project The problem of social housing stigmatisation and innovations that can minimise its effects (Investigative Panel).

Final Report No. 181: Multi-generation households in Australian cities

Wed, 8 Feb 2012

This Essay provided an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people living in multi-generation households in Australia and how these have changed since the 1980s, using the cities of Sydney and Brisbane as two contrasting case studies.

Positioning Paper No. 145: Resident third party objections and appeals against planning applications: implications for higher density and social housing

Fri, 3 Feb 2012

This Positioning Paper is the first output of a research project designed to explore the relationship between third-party objection and appeal rights, housing supply and participatory planning aims.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 150: How do we regenerate middle suburban ‘greyfield’ areas?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012

Regeneration of residential ‘greyfield’ areas in Australia’s capital cities aims to improve affordability and sustainability. Achieving these outcomes requires an integrated and strategic response from policy-makers and developers across the domains of finance, planning, design, construction technology and community engagement. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Towards a new development model for housing regeneration in greyfield precincts (Investigative Panel).

Final Report No. 180: Exploring the use of residual measures of housing affordability in Australia: methodologies and concepts

Mon, 30 Jan 2012

The concept of housing affordability has a central role in Australian housing research. The dominant approach to defining and measuring housing affordability has been the ratio approach. This Essay explores the potential advantages of greater use of residual measures of housing affordability as a supplement to the ratio approach for Australian housing policy and research.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 149: What are the benefits and risks of home ownership for low-moderate income households?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

Fewer low-moderate income households can buy a home compared to 30 years ago, and those that do purchase experience significant financial risks (particularly in the early years of purchase) which have to be weighed against the non-financial benefits such as greater security and stability. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project The advantages and disadvantages of home ownership for low-moderate income households.

Final Report No. 179: The role of assertive outreach in ending 'rough sleeping'

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

This study examines 'assertive outreach' as a recent and developing, policy-driven approach to ending homelessness for people sleeping rough in Australia. It is concerned with how assertive outreach has been conceptualised and implemented into practice in Australia and the extent to which it is achieving its policy intent. The study is essentially a formative review and aims to elicit the perspectives and experiences of policy-makers, service providers and service users within diverse contextual environments, drawing on three Australian case studies.

Research Paper Principles and practices of an affordable housing Community Land Trust model

Mon, 9 Jan 2012

This Research Paper provides an introduction to a form of shared equity housing called a Community Land Trust, which is operational in the United States of America and United Kingdom, and under exploration by various state and community organisations in Australia.

Positioning Paper No. 144: The role of informal community resources in supporting independent housing for young people recovering from mental illness

Thu, 22 Dec 2011

This project has three key aims. The primary aim is to investigate the role of informal community resources in promoting stable housing outcomes and enhancing social inclusion for young people recovering from a mental illness. The second aim is to identify the neighbourhood factors that potentially moderate the risk of homelessness for youth in recovery. The third aim is to explore how housing policy interventions can strengthen the array of informal community resources available to support stable housing for youth in recovery.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 148: Planning and the characteristics of housing supply in Melbourne

Fri, 16 Dec 2011

To achieve the goals of strategic planning on density, the mix of new dwellings, location and improving housing supply, strategic planning and planning policy require incentives and regulatory changes. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Planning reform, land release and the supply of housing.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 147: Lessons of Defence Housing Australia for affordable housing provision

Fri, 9 Dec 2011

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) operates a successful model of large scale private investment in provision of rental housing. Its innovative sales and leaseback program might be adapted to expand affordable housing in Australia but only if there was a government guarantee to offset vacancy and arrears risks. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Lessons of Defence Housing Australia for affordable housing provision.

Research Synthesis Report Outcomes report: Marginal rental housing roundtable

Mon, 5 Dec 2011

As part of the AHURI Research Project Marginal rental housing and marginal renters: a typology for policy, AHURI co-hosted a roundtable discussion with the City of Port Phillip Council on 27 June 2012. Participants in the roundtable included representatives from local councils in the Melbourne metropolitan area, homelessness services and advocacy organisations and other interested stakeholders.

Positioning Paper No. 143: Australian suburban house building: industry organisation, practices and constraints

Wed, 30 Nov 2011

This paper presents initial research into the residential house building industry. The starting point for the research is the observations that there is an undersupply of new housing. This has led to research on various factors, such as urban land availability, planning and under utilised land that may be constraining supply. However, there has been little examination of the operations of the housing industry itself.

Research Synthesis Report Youth mentoring

Mon, 28 Nov 2011

This research synthesis provides a rigorous analysis of the key elements of effective youth mentoring programs. The report considers national and international evidence on the value for investment and identifies evidence regarding the social and economic benefits for youth of quality one-to-one relationship based mentoring. The report was commissioned by the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance, the Office for Youth and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, and prepared by AHURI's Research Synthesis Service.

Final Report No. 178: Housing assistance, social inclusion and people living with a disability

Fri, 25 Nov 2011

This Final Report outlines the findings of research addressing two pressing conceptual and policy challenges: 1. What impact does housing assistance have on social inclusion for people with disabilities? 2. How can governments ensure that they maximise the social inclusion benefits from the housing assistance they provide now and into the future?

Positioning Paper No. 142: Understanding the patterns, characteristics and trends in the housing sector labour force in Australia

Wed, 2 Nov 2011

New housing supply has become an important public policy issue in Australia. This research focuses on the supply of housing and in particular on the contribution that workers in the residential housing sector make to the supply of housing.

Final Report No. 177: At home and in place? The role of housing in social inclusion

Fri, 28 Oct 2011

This is the Final Report from a project that aims to enhance understanding of aspects of home, housing and place which interact with social and economic disadvantage and the ways in which housing-related policies and programs can promote social inclusion.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 146: Improving housing service responses to Indigenous temporary mobility

Wed, 26 Oct 2011

The key factors that determine the housing outcomes of Indigenous mobility are whether travel is voluntary or involuntary and how long is spent away from home. Providing the appropriate service response can prevent travel from becoming a pathway into long-term homelessness. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Improving housing policy responses to Indigenous patterns of mobility.

Final Report No. 176: The residual income method: a new lens on housing affordability and market behaviour

Tue, 11 Oct 2011

This study was designed to explore the viability of an alternative method of measuring affordability (the residual income method) to that of the ubiquitous 30 per cent benchmark method and to use this alternative method for enriching understanding around a range of affordability and housing market issues.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 142: Making partnerships work in the design and delivery of housing and urban renewal policy and programs

Fri, 7 Oct 2011

Successful cross sector partnerships are responsive to local institutional contexts, market conditions and different community needs and expectations. Place and locality provide the basis of a shared vision for partnership working that includes both built form and people focussed outcomes. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Partnership working in the design and delivery of housing policy.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 145: The environmental sustainability of Australia’s private rental housing stock

Tue, 4 Oct 2011

While private rental investors support environmental sustainability, different segments of the private rental market require different policy initiatives to reduce the financial and other barriers to investment in energy and water savings measures. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project The environmental sustainability of Australia's private rental housing stock.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 144: How great is the shortage of affordable housing in Australia’s private rental market?

Thu, 22 Sep 2011

Between 2001 and 2006, Australia’s private rental market grew by 11 per cent. Despite this growth, shortages of affordable rental housing for low-income households worsened. This was exacerbated by the number of lower cost rental dwellings occupied by higher income earners. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Australia's private rental market: changes (2001-2006) in the supply of, and demand for, low rent dwellings.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 143: How does living in public housing affect women’s employment?

Mon, 19 Sep 2011

Opportunities for training and volunteering can assist women living in public housing to enter or re-enter paid work. However, income-based rents, poor security and stigma associated with public housing may present significant obstacles to working. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Public housing and employment: challenges and strategies.

Final Report No. 175: The impacts of the Henry Review recommendations on the private rental market—Savings income discount and rent assistance

Wed, 14 Sep 2011

This is the first of two Final Reports that aims to address the following research question highlighted in AHURI’s housing supply research brief: What is the impact on supply and affordability from implementation of the Henry Review recommendations in relation to negative gearing, land tax and stamp duty?

Final Report No. 174: Age-specific housing and care for low to moderate income older people

Mon, 12 Sep 2011

This report presents the final findings of a national, interdisciplinary research project into age-specific housing for lower-income older Australians. The key research aim addressed in this report is to assess Australia’s current age-specific housing market and its potential growth among low to moderate income older people, in order to develop effective policy strategies for the provision of age-specific housing for this disadvantaged group.

Final Report No. 173: The health impacts of housing: toward a policy-relevant research agenda

Wed, 24 Aug 2011

Housing is central to our lives. And while it may be seen on one level as principally about shelter, housing importantly provides other benefits. Affordable, appropriate, and adequate housing is argued to have a marked impact on people’s health, their access to labour markets, and an array of other benefits. The ways in which housing impacts upon human health is considered in this report which presents a scoping study of the health impacts of housing. This study has been undertaken using the new AHURI Investigative Panel methodology. It was set out to establish the current level of knowledge and major research gaps in the housing and health field.

Positioning Paper No. 141: Modelling crowding in Aboriginal Australia

Fri, 12 Aug 2011

This Positioning Paper seeks to explore and define the necessary concepts and theory relevant to upcoming empirical research into Australian Aboriginal household crowding by the authors.

Final Report No. 172: Urban social housing for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders: respecting culture and adapting services

Fri, 5 Aug 2011

This project built on a previous AHURI study Social housing diversity and integration (Project 20336). It reviewed the current social housing service delivery provisions for Indigenous households, examined the operation of a variety of these housing service models and how they interact in a selection of geographical contexts that had adopted different mixes of mainstream and specialised service delivery. It also appraised recent developments in international approaches to service delivery to Indigenous households in urban settings. Finally, it developed principles and practices to guide any integration endeavour in the social housing service delivery system for Indigenous households.

Final Report No. 171: Towards a new development model for housing regeneration in greyfield residential precincts

Thu, 28 Jul 2011

This Investigative Panel aimed to investigate and scope the processes required for an integrative development model capable of delivering more affordable and sustainable medium density housing through the regeneration of greyfield precincts in Australia’s capital cities.

Research Synthesis Report Evidence for improving access to homelessness services

Thu, 28 Jul 2011

This report, authored by Christine Black and Dr Hellene Gronda for AHURI’s Research Synthesis Service, was commissioned by Queensland Department of Communities to inform the development of their specialist homelessness service system.

It provides evidence about current access arrangements to homelessness services, the complex and multiple access barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness, and an overview of the different approaches, models and mechanisms used in Australia and internationally to improve access.

Final Report No. 170: Secure occupancy in rental housing: conceptual foundations and comparative perspectives

Tue, 19 Jul 2011

This report is concerned with the nature of housing occupancy for households that rent, particularly low-income and vulnerable households. It describes and compares provisions for secure occupancy across a variety of rental systems in Australia and similarly developed countries, and attempts to interpret to what extent such provisions are adequate and appropriate to the needs of households, especially those who rely on renting for significant periods (or all) of their lives.

Research Synthesis Report Addressing locational disadvantage effectively

Tue, 5 Jul 2011

This report, produced by AHURI's Research Synthesis Service and commissioned by Housing NSW, provides findings from a research synthesis of international evidence on how governments can intervene to improve the lives of disadvantaged residents in areas of concentrated poverty and disadvantage.

Final Report No. 169: Investigative Panel on a socially sustainable housing system for Australia

Thu, 23 Jun 2011

This Investigative Panel explored the question of how to achieve a more socially sustainable housing system. The panel collaborated with one of AHURI’s international research partners, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the UK.

Positioning Paper No. 140: Homelessness prevention for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence: innovations in policy and practice

Wed, 22 Jun 2011

This Positioning Paper makes up the first output of a research study entitled Homelessness prevention for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence: Innovations in policy and practice. The purpose of this very specific project is to explore the value and implementation challenges of innovative staying at home homelessness prevention measures, such as Staying Home Leaving Violence schemes in Australia, and Sanctuary schemes in England and Wales.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 141: Stakeholder perspectives on the regulation of affordable housing providers

Wed, 1 Jun 2011

Regulation of the not-for-profit housing sector is recognised by stakeholders as a necessary condition for growth. However, significant challenges exist in balancing the differing interests of housing providers, investors, NGOs representing tenant’s interests and existing regulatory bodies.

Final Report No. 168: Australia's private rental market: the supply of, and demand for, affordable dwellings

Thu, 26 May 2011

In 2006 only 37 per cent of private renters with household incomes in the lowest 40 per cent of the national income distribution accessed affordable housing. This Final Report aims to provide relevant information to assist policy-makers in addressing this situation.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 140: Sustainability decisions in Australian households

Tue, 24 May 2011

Households report that they have made significant changes to water and energy use over the past three years. Householders support strategies that encourage voluntary change brought about by information, incentives and services rather than through pricing or tax mechanisms.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 139: Asset poverty and older Australians' transitions into housing assistance programs

Fri, 13 May 2011

Wealth and debt positions are becoming increasingly important in shaping the pathways into housing assistance programs. This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications from the completed AHURI research project Other countries' policy initiatives to meet the housing needs of asset-poor older persons: implications for Australia.

Positioning Paper No. 139: The residual income approach to housing affordability: the theory and the practice

Thu, 5 May 2011

This Positioning Paper seeks to provide a greater understanding of the residual income approach to measuring housing affordability. Part A provides an overview, using existing literature, of the various semantic, substantive and definitional issues around the notion of affordability, leading to an argument in support of the soundness of the residual income approach. Part B is methodological; it shows for various household types and income ranges, both for home purchase and rental, how the residual income method can be operationalised and its potential policy applications.

Final Report No. 162: Improving housing responses to Indigenous patterns of temporary mobility

Wed, 4 May 2011

This project was concerned with Indigenous patterns of mobility and social housing responses to these patterns. The research identified types of mobility amongst Indigenous people and the link between mobility and the risk of falling into homelessness. It also outlined how housing policy-makers might respond to increased rates of temporary mobility of Indigenous people.

Final Report No. 167: Remote Indigenous housing procurement: a comparative study

Tue, 3 May 2011

This project sought to understand how housing procurement strategies impact on outcomes for Indigenous people in remote settlements. It examined four cases studies where governments have intervened in housing procurement processes and what makes for success in achieving improvements in social, cultural and economic outcomes.

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

Thu, 28 Apr 2011

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.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 137: Gentrification and displacement: the household impacts of neighbourhood change

Tue, 19 Apr 2011

The migration of affluent households into middle and lower-income neighbourhoods in Melbourne and Sydney has dislocated significant numbers of households over the past decade. Interviews with those displaced highlight significant financial and psychological difficulties in maintaining a foothold in rental accommodation.

Final Report No. 166: The stigmatisation of social housing: findings from a panel investigation

Mon, 11 Apr 2011

This report presents the findings from a panel investigation established to consider the impact of stigma for social housing residents and the policies that can be deployed to mitigate its effects.

Positioning Paper No. 138: Bridging the divide: the experiences of low-income households excluded from the private rental sector in Australia

Mon, 4 Apr 2011

This Positioning Paper sets out the research and conceptual parameters for a study examining re-entry into permanent housing following various conditions of forced exit from the private rental market.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 136: Reverse mortgages and older people

Tue, 29 Mar 2011

This project determined the current state of the reverse mortgage market in Australia and the popularity and potential growth amongst older persons of reverse mortgages and home reversion schemes. It then looked to understand and assess their potential impact on retirement decisions and planning.

Positioning Paper No. 137: Pathways and choice in a diversifying social housing system

Tue, 22 Mar 2011

This study seeks to provide a better understanding of how access to social housing and mobility within the Australian social housing system are experienced by tenants, in a time of significant changes to the sector. The Positioning Paper outlines the conceptual and contextual background that informs the study which is currently underway.

Final Report No. 165: The drivers of supply and demand in Australia’s rural and regional centres

Fri, 4 Mar 2011

This project addressed the question: How do the drivers of supply and demand for housing in regional and rural centres affect the supply of affordable housing? The project, used case studies across Australia, assisted governments in forming appropriate policies for the provision of affordable housing in non-metropolitan centres, including options for Indigenous Australians.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 135: What future for public housing?

Tue, 22 Feb 2011

This project looked beyond the day-to-day issues that confront State Housing Authorities and focused on the question of the viability of the sector, both in the medium and long-term. To achieve this aim, the research project undertook three strands of data collection activities that were used to inform an incisive commentary about the future of Australian housing policy and the specific role of public housing.

Final Report No. 164: Housing, loneliness and health

Wed, 16 Feb 2011

This Essay explored the newly emerging issue of loneliness and its connection to housing and housing policy in Australia and what subsequent impact on health there may be.

Final Report No. 163: Partnership working in the design and delivery of housing policy and programs

Tue, 8 Feb 2011

This project critically assessed the formation of Public-Private Partnerships and their ongoing operation beyond potential cost/benefit comparisons against traditional frameworks. This research provided a focused contribution to these discussions, with an explicit aim to feed insight into policy as these initiatives move from establishment to expansion.

Final Report No. 161: Stakeholder views of the regulation of affordable housing providers in Australia

Wed, 19 Jan 2011

This study contributes to discussions in government and among not-for-profit housing providers about the way regulation can assist their efforts to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in Australia. It is based on conducting interviews with large and small providers, regulators, non-government organisations (NGOs) representing tenants’ interests and investors in affordable housing in the states of Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and Tasmania.

Final Report No. 160: Gentrification and displacement: the household impacts of neighbourhood change

Mon, 10 Jan 2011

This research examined how gentrification (the move of high-income households to low-rent/cost neighbourhoods) has impacted on the supply of affordable housing in these areas in Sydney and Melbourne.

Positioning Paper No. 136: Assertive outreach

Mon, 3 Jan 2011

This Positioning Paper reports on the first stage of research into the adoption, in Australia, of new models of assertive outreach as responses to homelessness. The aim of the study is to explore the 'assertive outreach' approach, with a specific focus on the potential for this approach to reduce rough sleeping.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 134: Indigenous homelessness

Mon, 20 Dec 2010

This research found that the Indigenous understanding of homelessness, and response to housing need, is shaped by kinship obligations which are deeply embedded in the structure of Indigenous society. Those without housing will approach kinfolk for shelter first, and will usually be given a place to stay. This can conceal the rate of secondary homelessness among Indigenous people and result in permanent overcrowding.

Final Report No. 159: The environmental sustainability of Australia's private rental housing stock

Tue, 14 Dec 2010

This research contributes to present debates about the sustainability of Australian cities by focusing attention on the opportunities for and barriers to improving the environmental sustainability of Australia's private rental housing stock.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 133: Australia's changing patterns of home ownership

Mon, 6 Dec 2010

This project updated the earlier AHURI project 60064, A spatial analysis of trends in housing markets and changing patterns of household structure and income, to include 2006 Census data. It provided a disaggregated causal analysis of home ownership trends in Australia from 1996-2006.

Final Report No. 158: Housing, inequality and the role of population mobility

Mon, 29 Nov 2010

This research aimed to empirically document and map the process of socio-spatial polarisation in Melbourne as expressed in housing prices and rents, income and labour market change. It also examined the way in which the mobility of different income and tenure groups are both influenced by and shape polarisation patterns.

Final Report No. 157: Planning and the characteristics of housing supply in Melbourne

Wed, 24 Nov 2010

This research established the link between land use planning policies and mechanisms and the form of housing supplied. It examined details of both planning policy and housing supply in the state of Victoria over a time period covering two significant policy regime shifts.

Final Report No. 156: Asset poverty and older Australians' transitions onto housing assistance programs

Tue, 9 Nov 2010

This project aims to explore how the asset-poor status of older Australians helps to determine their demand for housing assistance, the coping strategies used by the asset-poor as they strive to secure satisfactory housing outcomes and the importance of these outcomes to ontological security.

Final Report No. 155: Public housing, women and employment: challenges and strategies

Mon, 1 Nov 2010

This project improves the understanding of why and how public housing tenants (and in particular sole parents and women with unemployed partners) are able to (re-)enter paid work despite the many disincentives and barriers identified in the AHURI National Research Venture 1 (NRV1) on Housing Assistance and Economic Participation.

Final Report No. 154: The benefits and risks of home ownership for low-moderate income households

Mon, 25 Oct 2010

This project investigated whether, and to what extent, the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership are experienced differentially by households with different levels of income, in particular by low-moderate income households compared to households in the middle-upper income ranges.

Final Report No. 153: Lessons of Defence Housing Australia for affordable housing provision

Mon, 18 Oct 2010

Encouraging private investment in affordable housing Australia has been recognised as a major challenge by researchers and policy makers for some time and has generated considerable work on possible models. This project determined the potential lessons of the Defence Housing Authority model of rental housing supply and management for affordable housing provision.

Final Report No. 152: Environmental sustainability: understanding the attitudes and behaviour of Australian households

Mon, 11 Oct 2010

This report describes research that aimed to understand the water and energy use and waste reduction attitudes and practices of Australian households and how these have changed over time.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 132: Home ownership reduces the cost of home-based care among old adults

Mon, 4 Oct 2010

The research examined the costs and benefits of providing in-home care to older people in contrast to residential care and evaluated the interrelationships between housing and care variables in determining the in-home care costs.

Positioning Paper No. 135: Housing, public policy and social inclusion

Mon, 27 Sep 2010

This Positioning Paper is the first output of an AHURI Project on Housing, Public Policy and Social Inclusion which aims to broaden and deepen understanding of the ways in which housing processes interact with social and economic disadvantage and whether, and to what extent, housing and related policies and programs can be effective in ameliorating these disadvantages and promoting social inclusion.

Final Report No. 151: What future for public housing? A critical analysis

Mon, 20 Sep 2010

The overall aim of the project is to consider the long-term prospects of public housing, given its critical role in accommodating those in housing need, tackling homelessness, addressing questions of social sustainability (such as being the base for households during education) and as a critical mediating point between vulnerable and low-income households and broader integration into the economy.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 131: Pathways from out-of-home care

Mon, 13 Sep 2010

Young people leaving out-of-home care face a high risk of falling into homelessness. Successful outcomes are linked to transition planning starting before the age of 18 combined with readily available support and assistance and appropriate housing options.

Final Report No. 150: Housing implications of economic, social, and spatial change

Mon, 6 Sep 2010

This study is an examination of demographic and economic changes in Australian households between 1996 and 2006 and their impact on home ownership. It is substantially an update of one carried out by Dr Judith Yates (2002), in which she examined the decade 1986 to 1996.

Positioning Paper No. 134: Age-specific housing for low to moderate-income older people

Tue, 31 Aug 2010

This positioning paper provides the context for a multidisciplinary research project on age-specific housing and care for low to medium-income older people. The research project draws on the collaborative expertise of academic researchers in the social science, health, economics, and architectural fields. The project seeks to answer the following questions: What age-specific accommodation options are available to older people? What sort of care component do they offer to consumers? To what extent can low to moderate-income earners access these options?

Positioning Paper No. 131: Housing assistance, social inclusion and people with disabilities

Tue, 24 Aug 2010

The election of the Labor Government to office in 2007 has heralded a number of changes in the focus of public policy in Australia. Paramount among these changes has been a renewed focus on three key areas: housing, disability and social inclusion, and the interconnectedness of, and interrelationships between, these three, and other policy spheres. Accordingly significant policy innovation has occurred with respect to these areas of public policy, supported by a range of new national policies, as well as reforms to state and Commonwealth financial relations. The research is an important area of investigation at the current time, particularly given the dearth of literature on the role that housing and housing assistance plays in facilitating and supporting the economic and social participation of people with disabilities.

Positioning Paper No. 133: Housing needs of asset-poor older Australians: other countries' policy initiatives and their implications for Australia

Mon, 23 Aug 2010

This Positioning Paper is the first output of a project that explores the housing options and actual housing circumstances of asset-poor older Australians. The overall aim of the project is to provide evidence to Australian policy makers confronted with the issue of asset-poor older Australians who may not be able to spend their retirement years as appropriately and securely housed self-funded retirees.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 130: Housing, support and care for older Australians: the role of service integrated housing

Mon, 16 Aug 2010

Forms of service integrated housing-such as retirement villages—have been developed by the community and private sectors to provide housing, support and care for older people in Australia. Is there a need for a more hands-on role for government in directing, shaping and expanding service integrated housing?

Positioning Paper No. 132: The integration of homelessness, mental health and drug and alcohol services in Australia

Mon, 2 Aug 2010

This study aims to increase our understanding of the ways in which homelessness, mental health and drug and alcohol services can be coordinated or integrated to provide services to homeless people, the extent to which system and service integration is occurring in Australia at present and the effectiveness of various integrated service delivery responses.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 129: How long does housing affordability stress last?

Mon, 26 Jul 2010

Families with mortgages are the most susceptible to prolonged housing stress, and those experiencing persistent housing stress are usually on low incomes.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 128: The great Australian nightmare: mortgage default and repossession

Mon, 19 Jul 2010

Mortgage default has long term impacts on the financial wellbeing of households including bankruptcy, drawing on superannuation savings, and high levels of debt even after the sale of the house. Better access by borrowers to financial advice and mortgage relief assistance, as well as stricter lending standards and better consideration of illness and hardship by lenders, would reduce rates of default

Final Report No. 149: Housing and children's development and wellbeing: a scoping study

Wed, 7 Jul 2010

This scoping study reviewed existing literature on the connections between housing and childhood development and wellbeing it investigates the value and feasibility of conducting empirical research in the Australian context.

Final Report No. 148: Good practices for managing Australia's public and community housing assets

Mon, 14 Jun 2010

This project investigates good practices for managing Australia's public and community housing assets. To a large extent the report concerns the identification of existing practices as an attempt to build a picture of asset management in public and community housing across Australia.

Positioning Paper No. 130: Service directions and issues in social housing for Indigenous households in urban and regional areas

Mon, 7 Jun 2010

This research is investigating how social housing services are provided to Indigenous clients in urban and regional settings. The primary aim of the study is to better understand how to deliver housing services both to meet housing needs and to contribute to 'closing the gap' on Indigenous disadvantage, in ways that will be consistent with cultural values and Indigenous aspirations. Key themes concern the respective roles of mainstream and culturally specific housing services and how effectively these are integrated across the service system.

Positioning Paper No. 129: Remote Indigenous housing procurement and post-occupancy outcomes: a comparative study

Mon, 31 May 2010

This study will explore the relationships between remote Indigenous housing procurement and the broader objectives of Indigenous communities. It will contribute to an understanding of the potential longer-term economic, social, health and cultural outcomes of current and future housing policies and housing delivery programs. It will also aim to address the lack of published comparative analyses of case studies on what the authors refer to as the 'socio-economic capitals' of housing procurement methods.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 126: How well do older Australians utilise their homes?

Tue, 25 May 2010

Despite the apparent under-utilisation of their dwellings according to previous methods of measurement, the majority of older people regard their house as suitable for their needs and adapt excess bedrooms to accommodate temporary visitors and pursue recreational activities.

Positioning Paper No. 128: The drivers of supply and demand in Australia's rural and regional centres

Tue, 18 May 2010

This Paper has reviewed both the literature on regional housing markets and the current and emerging policy environment. It has shown that there have been significant developments in housing policy over the previous two years, with a number of major policy initiatives and substantial public sector investment in housing. The Positioning Paper has suggested that not all new programs and policies are equally accessible to metropolitan and non-metropolitan Australia alike.

Research Thesis An ethnographic study of the day-to-day lives and identities of people who are homeless in Brisbane

Mon, 17 May 2010

Final Report No. 146: Reverse mortgages and older people: growth factors and implications for retirement decisions

Mon, 10 May 2010

If reverse mortgage products are to be accessed to enable ageing in place by supplementing the housing and care support needs of older homeowners, greater guidance and support is required for the most frail and vulnerable. There is a need for increased regulation, better advice to consumers, reduction in break fees and continued monitoring of the situation of reverse mortgage holders given the nature of the product and of the client group.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 127: What makes a landlord decide to invest and dis-invest in private rental housing?

Mon, 3 May 2010

Landlord investment decisions are linked to financial costs and retirement status. Tax, monetary and retirement incomes policies are all relevant to increasing the supply of private rental investment.

Research Paper International measures to channel investment towards affordable rental housing

Mon, 3 May 2010

This research was commissioned by the Western Australian Department of Housing to describe and assess international models for financing affordable housing that use public subsidies and incentives to attract large-scale commercial finance. The study examined six countries (France, United States, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Austria).

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 124: How can shared equity schemes work to facilitate home ownership in Australia?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010

Small, well-targeted shared equity schemes provide an opportunity for lower and moderate income households to achieve home ownership in Australia. Government involvement is required to manage the risks associated with achieving affordability objectives whilst maintaining the financial viability of the schemes.

Final Report No. 147: Pathways from out-of-home care

Mon, 26 Apr 2010

This project focuses on the housing experiences and outcomes of young people leaving state care. It is the first Australian study to specifically examine the connection between accommodation and young people's transition to independent living. The project aims to inform policy and service practice to promote positive and sustainable housing outcomes for young people ageing out of the state out-of-home care system.

Positioning Paper No. 127: Regulatory frameworks and their utility for the not-for-profit housing sector

Thu, 22 Apr 2010

This Positioning Paper reviews the potential strengths and weaknesses of regulation as a means of expanding the not-for-profit sector in Australian housing.

Research Thesis Evaluating social housing policy: a wicked problem?

Wed, 31 Mar 2010

The thesis concluded that cost benefit analysis was not the most appropriate method for social housing evaluation. The macro modelling technique was found to be useful for monitoring the effects of tenure mix policy at program level, including housing affordability impacts of interventions, but did not provide the basis for evaluating such a policy as a whole. The micro-level survey tool was found to offer a technique for local level monitoring and evaluation of tenure mix policy interventions.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 125: How do planning requirements impact housing costs and the development process?

Tue, 30 Mar 2010

Although developer infrastructure contributions represent the largest quantifiable planning related cost in Australia averaging between $45 000 and $100 000 per lot, residential developers are more concerned by non-financial barriers such as planning system complexity, uncertain time frames and unpredictable costs.

Final Report No. 145: Mortgage default in Australia: nature, causes and social and economic impacts

Thu, 25 Mar 2010

The project has focused on the incidence, causes and impacts of the rising trend in mortgage arrears and defaults, apparent in Australia over the past few years.

Final Report No. 144: Dwelling, land and neighbourhood use by older home owners

Tue, 9 Mar 2010

This research responds to a research question in the Housing and Ageing research area of the 2007 AHURI Research Agenda which asks the following questions: 'What are the types, sizes and locations of dwellings occupied by older home owners? How do these patterns vary for different household sizes? What incentives or disincentives could encourage or discourage the efficient use of dwellings and land occupied by older home owners?'

Final Report No. 143: Indigenous homelessness

Fri, 5 Mar 2010

This research is to undertake a comparative analysis of Indigenous homelessness in the contrasting settings of major cities and regional country town centres. The research sought to compare the understandings of Indigenous homelessness held by Indigenous homeless people, and those of the providers of services to Indigenous homeless people. It offers an analysis of the relationship between homelessness, household overcrowding and mobility patterns in the context of Indigenous culture.

Final Report No. 142: Factors shaping the decision to become a landlord and retain rental investments

Wed, 24 Feb 2010

The supply of private rental housing has become more prominent in the debates around affordable housing as house prices have increasingly gotten out of the reach of prospective home owners, and rents have spiralled in rental housing. There is a concern that private rental markets are failing on the supply side due to principal-agent problems, taxation measures and regulations. In this project, we explore the role of different variables in shaping the supply decisions of private rental investors. This exploration will shed insights on how policy initiatives such as tax measures will impact on the economic costs of landlords, and how this will in turn affect their propensity to hold onto property investments.

Positioning Paper No. 126: Planning reform, land release and the supply of housing

Wed, 17 Feb 2010

This positioning paper is the first product of a research project which is investigating the links between planning policies and housing outcomes. The project is an investigation into whether changes to land use planning policies and mechanisms impact on the types of housing supplied, particularly in new release areas. It examines details of both planning policy and housing supply in metropolitan Melbourne over a time period covering two significant policy regime shifts.

Positioning Paper No. 125: The environmental sustainability of Australia's private rental housing stock

Wed, 10 Feb 2010

This Positioning Paper is the first output of a research project examining the potential opportunities for and barriers to improving the environmental sustainability of Australia's private rental stock. For existing private rental stock, this entails retrofitting existing dwellings to minimise energy and water consumption. For new dwellings and development, options include consideration of housing design, siting and density.

Research Paper What future for public housing? A critical analysis

Wed, 3 Feb 2010

This Research Paper is the first output of a project that considers the question of the future of State Housing Authority (SHA) managed public housing and its capacity to address housing need and community sustainability in the 21st century. It adopts an historical and comparative perspective, drawing upon the Australian and UK literature on public housing policy and its role within broader housing systems.

Positioning Paper No. 124: Improving housing responses to Indigenous patterns of mobility

Mon, 11 Jan 2010

This Positioning Paper provides an overview of research on the relationship between housing services and Indigenous patterns of mobility, identifies the policy context within which this takes place, and examines current housing service responses to this. It addresses issues central to the planning and delivery of housing to Indigenous populations. Although the focus of the study is on remote and regional Australia, its findings also have implications for social housing in urban areas.

Final Report No. 141: Service integrated housing for Australians in later life

Mon, 4 Jan 2010

The aim of the study is to analyse the diversity and types of service integrated housing that have been developed in Australia, and to consider the policy and research implications. It includes examination of the implications of international experience with service integrated housing for Australia.

Final Report No. 140: Counting the costs: planning requirements, infrastructure contributions, and residential development in Australia

Fri, 11 Dec 2009

This study represents a first step in establishing a qualitative understanding of the ways in which planning regulation has impacted on housing developments across 15 local jurisdictions in three Australian states. The findings confirm that planning system complexity and ambiguity is associated with significant costs for housing development in Australia.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 123: Can home ownership work for Indigenous Australians living on communal title land?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009

Indigenous people were interested in home ownership whether or not they lived on community title land. Forty-two per cent of Indigenous people interviewed had investigated home ownership and a quarter were assessed to be capable of achieving home ownership.

Final Report No. 139: Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands

Wed, 25 Nov 2009

This study investigates the applicability of home ownership to Indigenous people living on communal title lands. The research examines the capacity for Indigenous people to enter this tenure, and whether there is an aspiration to do so. A central theme is also the meaning of 'home ownership' to Indigenous people living on communal title lands, and the constructs of home ownership with which Indigenous people identify. Whether there is any contrast between the meanings, experiences and expectations of those living on communal title land and those on non-communal title land, in public rental, or private rental, was also a key theme.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 122: Providing support for Indigenous tenancies at risk: Australian policy responses

Thu, 5 Nov 2009

Indigenous clients who receive support through Tenant Support Programs sustain their tenancies, are linked to external support programs to meet their non-housing needs and avoid homelessness.

Final Report No. 138: Sustaining at-risk Indigenous tenancies: a review of Australian policy responses

Mon, 19 Oct 2009

The key objective of the study is to outline and evaluate the operation and effectiveness of tenant support programs and other tenancy support measures in assisting at-risk Indigenous tenants. This report describes and reviews all known mainstream and Indigenous-specific specialist tenant support programs operating around Australia. The review describes how these programs operate; the representation of Indigenous people in such programs, the services provided to clients and, where the data permit, the effectiveness of specialist tenant support programs in improving Indigenous housing outcomes. Our study also explores how tenant support program administrators interface with relevant agencies delivering support services to Indigenous tenants and assesses the role played by tenant support providers, community sector agencies in the main, in sustaining Indigenous tenancies.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 121: Do submarkets exist in public housing?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009

Although more commonly identified in private housing markets, submarkets are also shown to exist in public housing - demand and supply differ for particular dwelling types and certain locations. Information on public housing submarkets might potentially assist policy makers to fine-tune their allocation, rent and asset management policies.

Positioning Paper No. 123: Reverse mortgages and older people: growth factors and implications for retirement decisions

Mon, 5 Oct 2009

The project seeks to determine the factors influencing the take up of reverse mortgage products and services within the context of overall demand. This research project focuses on provision of a comprehensive appraisal of reverse mortgages as they pertain to 'ageing in place' and community care decision-making.

Positioning Paper No. 122: Australia's private rental market: changes (2001-2006) in the supply of, and demand for, low rent dwellings

Mon, 28 Sep 2009

This Positioning Paper provides the empirical update from 2001 to 2006 on the need for, and supply of, low rent stock in the private rental market. It addresses the following questions: 1. Within the private rental sector, what has happened to household incomes and rents during this period? 2. To what extent do shortages exist for low-income private renters? 3. How are shortages spatially distributed across Australia's cities and regions?

Positioning Paper No. 121: Environmental sustainability in residential housing: understanding attitudes and behaviour towards waste, water, and energy consumption and conservation among Australian households

Mon, 21 Sep 2009

The current paper addresses a number of key questions relating to the sustainability of Australian households. It explores: 1. What are household waste/water/energy attitudes and practices? 2. How waste/water/energy attitudes and practices have changed over time. 3. What factors have driven changes in household waste/water/energy attitudes and practices? 4. The relationship between householders' waste/water/energy attitudes and practices and whether the relationship varies according to SES, household type, tenure or behavioural domain. 5. The most effective ways of shaping positive change in household waste/water/energy perceptions and behaviour and what are the costs and benefits of these approaches for stakeholders?

Positioning Paper No. 120: The benefits and risks of home ownership: disaggregating the effects of household income

Mon, 14 Sep 2009

This Positioning Paper is the first report from a project which seeks to add to the research evidence base on the financial and non-financial outcomes of home ownership for households. The overall aim of the project is thus to investigate whether, and to what extent, the benefits and risks of home ownership are experienced differentially by Australian households with different levels of income, in particular by lower income households (bottom 40%) compared to households in the middle-higher income range (highest 60%) The study centres on households who are already home owners, including those who have outstanding loans secured against their property (purchasers) and those who have not (outright owners).

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 120: Housing affordability and shortages in resource boom towns

Mon, 7 Sep 2009

Resource boom towns have experienced recurring housing shortages and affordability crises. Government and industry need to address housing shortages to ensure appropriate social and economic outcomes in these locations.

Final Report No. 137: Innovative financing for home ownership: the potential for shared equity initiatives in Australia

Mon, 31 Aug 2009

This project aims to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the appropriateness and potential for shared equity approaches to assist Australian lower and moderate income households into affordable and sustainable home ownership.

Final Report No. 136: Submarkets in public sector housing: an abstract concept or a decision-making tool?

Mon, 24 Aug 2009

This report is designed to evaluate the concept of 'housing submarkets' in terms of its relevance for social housing analysis and to assess its usefulness in informing management and administrative practices in the social housing sector. The submarket concept has not been employed in social housing analysis, given that 'markets' are typically seen as locations of exchange through consumer and producer responses to price signals. By contrast, in social housing, client and organisational decision-making revolves around administrative fiat. Nevertheless the private market public administration boundary may not be as sharp as this implies. It may be possible to extend the principle of submarkets to social housing.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 119: Growth and innovation in affordable housing in Australia: the role of not-for-profit providers

Mon, 17 Aug 2009

Not-for-profit organisations in Australia have strong potential to increase the available stock of affordable housing for low and moderate income households. To achieve this growth requires clear policy guidance from governments, a long-term public investment strategy and a mechanism for raising larger quantities of private finance.

Final Report No. 135: Housing market dynamics in resource boom towns

Sun, 9 Aug 2009

Resource boom towns in the Pilbara and Goldfield regions of Western Australia and the Bowen Basin region of Queensland have experienced recurring housing shortages and crises. The housing situation has had a negative impact upon these communities in a variety of ways, and in the case of Karratha in particular, constitutes a community crisis. This study demonstrates the important linkages between housing and the resources industry. It discusses the key issues evidenced by case studies of four resource boom towns; two in Western Australia and two in Queensland. These case studies provide a detailed picture of the wide range of issues faced by these towns and the social, economic and structural consequences of the resources boom.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 118: The role of home maintenance and modification services in achieving health, community care and housing outcomes in later life

Mon, 3 Aug 2009

Older people who use home maintenance and modification services value them highly. Such services support people to continue to live in their current home for longer. However, Australia lacks a systematic approach to the provision of these services that limits their effectiveness in achieving health, wellbeing and housing outcomes.

Research Thesis Network power: an international study of strengthening housing association capacity

Sat, 1 Aug 2009

The Research Thesis developed frameworks leading to a deeper understanding of what housing associations are becoming and how the sector's capacity can be strengthened. Nine associations of three organisation types, selected from the city regions of San Francisco, Melbourne and Manchester, provided rich documentary and interview information. The research findings suggest the importance of broader approaches to strengthening capacity, for example though collaboration between associations by merger, group structure, or procurement partnerships. The success of contemporary housing associations depends not only on the skills of individuals working for the organisation, but their ability to make connections across the wider environment - organisational capacity strengthened through network power.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 117: Does higher housing wealth increase consumer spending?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009

On average, every $100 000 increase in housing wealth results in an increase in consumption of $1000 to $1500 per annum in Australia. Increased housing wealth helps to relax borrowing constraints on home owners thus facilitating increased consumption.

Positioning Paper No. 119: Intergenerational homelessness and the intergenerational use of homelessness services

Mon, 20 Jul 2009

The key aim of the present study is to improve our understanding of intergenerational homelessness and the intergenerational use of homelessness services. It seeks to achieve this aim through examining the patterns and determinants of intergenerational homelessness and homelessness service-use in Australia, and the role and impact of service delivery and policy interventions designed to avert or break the cycle of homelessness across generations.

Final Report No. 134: Innovation in affordable housing in Australia: Bringing policy and practice for not-for-profit housing organisations together

Mon, 13 Jul 2009

This study investigates the policy environment and accomplishments of emerging not-for-profit housing developers in Australia. The core purpose is to understand the current operating environment of these agencies and to identify directions for policy that could enable these or similar organisations to make larger scale contributions to the provision of affordable housing in Australia.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 116: How can State Housing Authorities improve their response to natural disasters?

Mon, 6 Jul 2009

State Housing Authorities play a critical role in responding to the needs of individuals and communities affected by natural disasters but can still improve their planning and capacity by studying the experiences and lessons learned from previous disaster response efforts.

Final Report No. 133: The dynamics of housing affordability: movements in and out of housing affordability stress 2001-2006

Mon, 29 Jun 2009

This project investigates the dynamics of housing affordability in Australia over the period 2001-06 by tracking the housing affordability trajectories of a nationally representative sample of Australians across a period of six years, using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. This project provides important information for the formulation and design of policies that aim to improve housing affordability in Australia.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 115: What motivates households to invest in the private rental market?

Mon, 22 Jun 2009

The perceptions of property as a low-risk investment, guaranteed to yield long-term capital gains, are key motivators for small-scale private rental investors. However, not all motivating factors are financial. Personal goals and personal or family circumstances also play a key part in investment decisions.

Final Report No. 132: Housing wealth and consumer spending

Wed, 17 Jun 2009

This project has examined the effects of increases in housing wealth brought about by increases in house prices on general consumption spending in Australia. The study, the first of its kind in Australia, complements a growing body of international research in this field. The results presented question the accuracy of the assertion that the relationship between house prices and general consumption spending in the economy is at its strongest among older home owners.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 114: What can be done to improve employment outcomes among people receiving housing assistance?

Tue, 9 Jun 2009

Improving employment of housing assistance recipients will require removing financial disincentives to work in public housing rent and income eligibility policies, retaining security of tenure so that tenants can stabilise their health and build skills, and public housing that is better located to employment opportunities.

Positioning Paper No. 118: Towards best practice for public housing asset management

Mon, 1 Jun 2009

The paper's primary aims are to: 1. identify and examine the current state and attributes of asset management practices applicable to social housing in Australia; 2. discuss the key asset management issues and questions arising from international experience with social housing asset management; 3. identify the set of characteristics associated with best practice applied to social housing asset management in Australia; and 4. review the literature and policy debates as they relate to the topics that emerge from each of the above objectives.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 113: Housing insecurity and its link to the social inclusion agenda

Mon, 25 May 2009

Lower income renters' experiences of housing insecurity have six important dimensions. Compounded by other aspects of social and economic disadvantages, the result is social exclusion.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 112: Enhancing the effectiveness of Australian social housing integration initiatives

Mon, 18 May 2009

Though there is general acceptance that the development of effective structures and processes that cross conventional boundaries between program, organisation, and sectors (referred to as integration) is central to addressing the policy and management challenges facing social housing in Australia, there is inconclusive evidence from international evaluation of such initiatives about whether the outcomes for clients are indeed beneficial.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 111: The capacity of Indigenous Community Housing Organisations

Mon, 11 May 2009

Remote location, inadequate governance procedures and lack of economies of scale undermine the organisational performance of indigenous community housing organisations.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 107: The housing careers of people with disabilities and their carers

Fri, 8 May 2009

The research seeks to understand the impacts and policy implications of different forms of disability on the housing needs of people with a disability and their carers.

Final Report No. 131: Natural disaster preparation and response: issues for state housing authorities

Mon, 4 May 2009

A natural disaster is a rapid onset event that threatens or causes death, injury or damage to property or the environment, requiring a coordinated multi-agency and community response. The most costly and significant impacts of natural disasters and other environmental emergencies are on buildings. Damage or total loss of residential dwellings and social infrastructure especially accentuate hardship, homelessness, displacement and psychological trauma. For this reason, State Housing Authorities (SHAs) are among the key stakeholders with significant roles in disaster management. The overall aim of the project is to provide guidance for SHAs and to assist them prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other environmental emergencies.

Research Synthesis Report Evidence to inform NSW homelessness action priorities 2009-10

Fri, 1 May 2009

This research synthesis was prepared to support the finalising of the NSW Homelessness Action Plan. The AHURI research synthesis service has independently assessed the evidence base on homelessness interventions to identify and synthesise strong findings in each of three Action Areas: Prevention, Effective Responses and Breaking the Cycle.

Positioning Paper No. 117: Improving housing outcomes for young people leaving state out of home care

Mon, 27 Apr 2009

Responding to the lack of information in Australia on the effectiveness of leaving care programs generally, and the role of housing in leaving care programs more specifically, this project aims to inform policy and service practice to promote positive and sustainable housing outcomes for young people ageing out of the state out-of-home care system. The project is driven by the research question: Which support model(s) most effectively facilitate positive housing outcomes for young people leaving care?

Positioning Paper No. 116: Housing implications of economic, social, and spatial change - key issues

Mon, 20 Apr 2009

This positioning paper provides a short summary of a series of topics relating to the broader economic and social context of changes in housing tenure. These are: 1)change in the global and local economic situation; 2)expansion of money supply leading to a rapid increase in house prices and record household debt; 3)debt and financial market instability; 4)changes in tenure in Australia; 5) determinants of tenure choice and housing careers; 6)tenure neutrality; 7)changes in international policies relating to home ownership; 8)fast and slow processes of demand and supply; 9)rent gradients and changes in urban form and density.

Final Report No. 130: Understanding what motivates households to become and remain investors in the private rental market

Tue, 14 Apr 2009

What motivates people to become rental investors? What factors drive or shape their investment behaviour, and how are their experiences and intentions as rental investors linked? This paper reports on a qualitative study of rental investors in Australia, which has sought to pursue these questions.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 110: Financial outcomes of community housing organisations

Mon, 6 Apr 2009

Community housing organisations in Australia recorded a surplus in the three yesra to 2005-06. To achieve low costs,many used voluntary labour, received discounted rates, and did not provide for depreciation.

Positioning Paper No. 115: Gentrification and displacement: a review of approaches and findings in the literature

Mon, 30 Mar 2009

This positioning paper considers the international literature on gentrification-related household displacement. The paper then considers available data sources and a model appropriate to estimating areas of intensive gentrification activity, and subsequently to accurately measure flows of displacement from these areas.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 109: Older people in public housing: policy and management issues

Mon, 23 Mar 2009

Demand for public housing among older people is projected to outstrip supply by 2016. The sorts of housing and services required by older people will also require new investment by public housing providers.

Positioning Paper No. 114: Mortgage default in Australia: nature, causes and social and economic impacts

Mon, 16 Mar 2009

This project seeks to explore the various impacts of mortgage stress on vulnerable households and to place the phenomenon of mortgage default within a broader social and economic context. This approach is used suggest relevant and practical ways for policy-makers to reduce the incidence and negative consequences emerging from mortgage default.

Final Report No. 129: Integration and social housing in Australia: theory and practice

Tue, 10 Mar 2009

This study examines the themes of policy and service integration in the provision of social housing in Australia. It identifies the factors driving policy interest in this issue, and the views of social housing managers and service providers concerning integration issues, challenges, opportunities and risks. It identifies, describes and analyses some of the main integration initiatives of recent years and identifies principles that may contribute to better integrated social housing policies and services.

Positioning Paper No. 113: Natural disaster preparation and response: a guide for state housing authorities

Mon, 2 Mar 2009

Final Report No. 128: 21st century housing careers and Australia’s housing future

Mon, 23 Feb 2009

This report presents the findings that have emerged out of the second AHURI funded National Research Venture (NRV2), 21st century housing careers and Australia’s housing future. The report identifies the major drivers of housing careers in Australia in the first part of the 21st century, as well as policy implications.

Final Report No. 126: Operating deficits and community housing: policy options for reversing the trend

Thu, 12 Feb 2009

This project aims to clarify the impact of operating deficits on the potential growth and development of community housing organisations, develop suitable policy options for returning community housing to operational surpluses, and provide a context for the development and growth of the community housing sector.

Final Report No. 127: What makes case management work for people experiencing homelessness?

Mon, 9 Feb 2009

The research synthesis aimed to provide an evidence-based understanding of how case management works to contribute to the development of more effective responses to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. This report defined case management and synthesises the international scientific evidence on case management practice for the homelessness sector.

Positioning Paper No. 111: Dwelling, land and neighbourhood use by older home owners

Thu, 5 Feb 2009

The aims of this project are to: 1. provide an understanding of the relationship between older home owners and their dwelling types, sizes and locations; 2. examine the variation in these factors by the age of occupants, their level of ability, household type and cultural background; 3. assess how efficiently housing stock is, and could be, used by older home owners, considering changes in their household size and composition over time; 4. explore measures that might help to improve efficient use of the housing stock while improving liveability for older Australians; 5. establish the costs and benefits of adaptable and universal housing design and propose an economic model to assess the consequences for older Australians if these are not adopted now; 6. investigate the level of demand and consumer support amongst older home owners for adaptable and universal housing design.

Positioning Paper No. 112: Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands

Wed, 28 Jan 2009

A central theme in this research is the meaning of home ownership to Indigenous people living on communal title lands as opposed to those living on non-communal title lands. Communal title lands are popularly perceived to occur in remote Indigenous settlements, where lands are jointly held in some form of a trust to the broader 'community'. While less common, there are also communal title lands within the boundaries of a number of regional towns and metropolitan cities throughout Australia, which in some cases consist of conglomerates of freehold title blocks that are held collectively through a community housing organisation. A second theme in this research is whether there is any contrast between the experience and expectations of those living on communal title land and those on non-communal title land; that is, in public rental, private rental, or existing home ownership. Tenure type is an important determinant of the ways in which individuals understand their rights and responsibilities regarding their homes. The third research theme is the need to address policy. This is with regard to existing policy, the ongoing development of existing policy, and the development of future policy directions.

Final Report No. 125: Scoping the capacity of Indigenous Community Housing Organisations

Mon, 5 Jan 2009

This project set out to provide a detailed, contemporary, empirical understanding of Indigenous Community Housing Organisations (ICHOs) by addressing two interrelated sets of research questions. The first set of research questions concerned the nature of the ICHO sector, while the second set concerned the identification of factors that affect the organisational capacity of ICHOs as well as measures aimed at enhancing the capacity of the sector.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 108: What impact will the national rental affordability scheme have upon housing affordability?

Mon, 15 Dec 2008

Modelling estimates of a random allocation of 50,000 national rental affordability scheme properties to a sample of eligible households finds that of the 11,512 experiencing housing affordability problems, 4,614 (40%) would be moved from above to below the 30 per cent affordability benchmark.

Final Report No. 124: Housing insecurity and precarious living: an Australian exploration

Wed, 26 Nov 2008

This research project explored and developed the concept of housing insecurity for lower income renter households, drawing on related Australian and international research.

Research Paper Redesigning AHURI's Australian Housing Market Microsimulation Model

Wed, 12 Nov 2008

This project redesigned AHURI's comprehensive housing market microsimulation model that provides policy analysts with a capacity to anticipate the quantitative impacts of economic and policy changes on the drivers of housing supply and demand and housing tenure outcomes, and provides reliable estimates of government budgetary cost or savings from proposed reforms.

Final Report No. 123: The role of home maintenance and modification services in achieving health, community care and housing outcomes in later life

Thu, 6 Nov 2008

This research project had two broad aims, one focused on research and the other on policy. The first is to establish the foundations for a more extensive evidence base to underpin policies to provide home maintenance and modification (HMM) services to older Australians. The second is to use current research, including the international research literature and the findings of this study, to critically analyse current policy settings and consider alternatives.

Research Paper Updating the AHURI Housing Microsimulation Model (HOUSEMOD)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008

This paper describes the process of updating HOUSEMOD.

Positioning Paper No. 110: Reconceptualising housing need in the context of 21st century Australian housing policy

Tue, 21 Oct 2008

This Positioning Paper is the first output of a study that aims to critically review a range of approaches to conceptualising need in housing and social policy fields in Australia and internationally. The study seeks to provide an analysis of how housing needs in Australian housing might be reconceptualised in light of that review, and what implications this might have for housing policy.

Positioning Paper No. 109: Planning, government charges, and the costs of land and housing

Wed, 15 Oct 2008

This research seeks to identify the range of government and planning related costs that arise through the residential development process, and quantify their relative weight as a proportion of the total cost of development. By using a multiple case study methodology that extends across three Australian State jurisdictions and several local planning authority areas, the study also seeks to determine the extent to which such costs might differ in different regulatory settings. This positioning paper is the first research output in the overarching study. It reviews existing research and literature on the impacts of government land use regulations and charges and the costs of housing development, both internationally and within Australia. It sets out the overall research aims and a methodology for the empirical case study component of the research.

Final Report No. 122: Housing policies, social mix and community outcomes

Tue, 7 Oct 2008

The research the key aims of identifying the international research evidence on the social and community effects stemming from various types of social concentration, and proposing guidance around effective policy and practice interventions to ameliorate such effects.

Positioning Paper No. 108: Integrated housing, support and care for people in later life

Wed, 1 Oct 2008

This study was conducted to describe the development of 'integrated housing, support and care' services in Australia; to analyse the nature and diversity of types of 'integrated housing, support and care' services that exist in Australia and internationally; to define and classify these services so as to provide a sound foundation for policy analysis and public debate; and to consider the implications for Australian public policies concerning the housing and care of the older population.

Research Paper Econometric modelling of housing assistance and labour market participation

Wed, 24 Sep 2008

The analysis in this paper examines the effect of housing assistance programs on aspects of labour market behaviour and outcomes in Australia. The relationship between housing assistance and labour market behaviour is a key concern of policy makers. In fact, a guiding principle of the current agreement between the federal and state governments concerning the provision of housing assistance programs is the need to ensure that 'housing assistance supports access to employment and promotes social and economic participation' (Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement 2003, Schedule 1). The analysis provides evidence on this link by considering how current policy settings influence labour market outcomes for participants in housing assistance programs.

Positioning Paper No. 107: Indigenous homelessness: place, house and home

Wed, 17 Sep 2008

The policy research aim of this research is to understand the place, house and home needs of Indigenous peoples and how to address these needs through housing and other service responses that secure sustainable solutions and support stable life conditions. More specifically, policy makers see a need to differentiate between Indigenous and non-Indigenous homelessness and to know whether or not Indigenous homelessness should be further differentiated according to contrasting geographic settings.

Research Paper Modelling of initiatives to improve the supply of affordable housing using the AHURI-3M model

Wed, 10 Sep 2008

This project employs AHURI's housing market microsimulation model (AHURI-3M) to undertake modelling on initiatives to improve the supply of affordable housing. The project is carried out in two stages. During the first stage, we address two key policy questions. First, what are the internal rates of return received by landlords in the current policy environment? Second, what is the budget cost of providing upfront grants that will increase landlords' internal rates of return by one percentage point? The modelling work conducted in Stage 1 replicates the modelling work conducted by Queensland as part of Commitment 4 of the Framework for National Action on Affordable Housing. However, Stage 1 uses data on actual rather than hypothetical properties and investors. In the second stage of the project, the modelling work is extended to analysis of the housing affordability impacts of the Stage 1 proposals. We estimate the impacts on housing affordability of an upfront grant that raises the internal rate of return of each landlord by one percentage point. AHURI-3M is capable of estimating the impacts of supply-side policy reforms on housing affordability taking into account important housing assistance programs such as Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA).

Final Report No. 121: Older persons in public housing: the policy and management issues

Wed, 3 Sep 2008

This Final Report identifies emerging policy and management issues for public housing providers and for Commonwealth and state/territory governments as older people in public housing seek to age in place.

Research Paper The relationship between public housing wait lists, public housing tenure and labour market outcomes

Wed, 27 Aug 2008

This report provides an important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between public housing participation and employment outcomes in Australia. It has been made possible through the availability of a unique dataset. The state Department of Housing and Works (DHW) manages public housing programs in Western Australia through their public housing agency. For the purpose of this project, DHW extracted a confidentialised data set from its administrative records of all people who entered the wait list for public housing from January 1999 onwards, including records on their subsequent public housing tenancies until November 2005. The wide array of socio-demographic and income variables in the data allows the construction of income and employment profiles from the date of first appearance on wait lists, through entry into public housing to the most current recorded income and employment situation.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 106: Child support can help to secure housing for resident parents and their children after relationship breakdown

Wed, 20 Aug 2008

The receipt of more than $75 per week in child support assisted resident parents living apart to secure better quality housing for themselves and their children. For non-resident parents living apart, the payment of child support appeared to have no measurable effect upon the standard of their housing. The ongoing obligation to pay child support was nevertheless identified by non-resident parents living apart as an additional financial stress that shaped their housing circumstances, such as preventing the purchase of a new home.

Positioning Paper No. 106: Innovative financing for home ownership: the potential for shared equity initiatives in Australia

Wed, 13 Aug 2008

This project focuses on the potential that shared equity has to provide a solution to affordability problems and the type and level of government assistance that will be needed to ensure specific objectives can be met. The challenging task of addressing the varied requirements, preferences and barriers faced by potential customers, lenders and investors—as much as meeting government policy aims—has been recognised from the outset of the study.

Positioning Paper No. 105: A review of the contextual issues regarding housing market dynamics in resource boom towns

Fri, 8 Aug 2008

This positioning paper provides a context for examining housing market dynamics in four Australian resource boom towns: Kalgoorlie and Karratha in Western Australia, and Emerald and Moranbah in Queensland. The impact of the resource boom on housing affordability is examined, as are its effects on a variety of other related socio-economic indicators in those towns, including the availability and appropriateness of housing, community development, social cohesion and exclusion.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 105: International practice in planning for affordable housing: lessons for Australia

Thu, 24 Jul 2008

Australia's land use planning system could be enhanced to better support and promote affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 104: The cost-effectiveness of homelessness programs

Thu, 17 Jul 2008

Homelessness programs produce positive outcomes for their clients at relatively low cost and can reduce health, justice and police expenditure.

Research Paper Housing assistance and economic participation

Tue, 15 Jul 2008

This report discovers how housing assistance programs impact economic participation outcomes, once we control for the mediating effects that intermediary variables (such as health and neighbourhood) have on economic participation outcomes.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 103: What are the housing tenure pathways of income support recipients over time?

Thu, 10 Jul 2008

Most income support recipients have high levels of tenure stability. Less than 20 per cent experience multiple and complex tenure transitions. Changes in tenure over time are driven by a range of factors, with change of income level being only a Minor or secondary consideration in many cases.

Final Report No. 120: New directions in planning for affordable housing: Australian and international evidence and implications

Tue, 8 Jul 2008

This research examines international practice in planning for housing affordability in general and affordable housing in particular. The report reviews examples from the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Ireland, Canada and the Netherlands. The research emphasis is on understanding the ways in which the planning system is used to support affordable housing objectives in each of these nations, and on the potential to learn from and transfer this experience to the Australian context.

Research Paper The housing careers of people with a disability and carers of people with a disability

Tue, 8 Jul 2008

This report considers the housing careers of persons affected by disability and those family members with significant care responsibilities. The report shows that the housing careers of persons with a disability are flatter and more restricted than those of the population overall. In addition, it is argued that the housing careers of carers and persons with a disability alike are changing in these first years of the 21st Century. This change is a consequence of shifts in the ways support services are provided, because of impediments to movement through the housing market, because of reducing access to home purchase and as a result of trends in the incidence of disability.

Final Report No. 119: The cost-effectiveness of homelessness programs: a first assessment

Thu, 26 Jun 2008

The study utilises findings from a relatively small-scale, but, nevertheless rich survey of homelessness program agencies and clients in Western Australia. It provides important findings on the outcomes achieved by clients of homelessness programs and of the net cost of providing support to homelessness program clients as well as suggesting fruitful lines for further enquiry in an area where a significant dearth of evidence exists.

Final Report No. 119: The cost-effectiveness of homelessness programs: a first assessment - appendices

Thu, 26 Jun 2008

Final Report No. 118: Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time

Wed, 11 Jun 2008

This project involved a complex and multi-faceted analysis of longitudinal administrative income support (IS) data. The study has been principally concerned with issues about patterns of housing consumption among people on IS. This includes the housing arrangements and circumstances of income support recipients (ISRs) over time, the possible relationships between changes in tenure, changes in income and other changes in the characteristics or circumstances of ISRs. The analysis has also been concerned about how these relationships and arrangements between housing and other factors might vary by discrete groups of recipients.

Final Report No. 117: Risk assessment practices in the private rental sector implications for low income renters

Mon, 26 May 2008

This report focuses on risk-assessment practices in the private rental market, with particular consideration of their impact on low-income renters. It is based on the fieldwork undertaken in the second stage of the research process.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 102: Risk assessment practices in the private rental sector: implications for low-income renters

Mon, 26 May 2008

Risk, whether perceived or actual, is a critical factor for property managers in deciding who is allocated housing in the private rental market, and how the allocation process occurs.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 101: A new design framework for remote Indigenous housing

Wed, 21 May 2008

Final Report No. 116: The implications of loss of a partner for older private renters

Wed, 14 May 2008

This report aims to examine the effects of divorce, separation or bereavement on the housing and related financial circumstances of people aged 50 or over in different housing tenures, and in particular those on income support payments. Household dissolution results in loss of income and loss of economies of scale in consumption, which in turn affect the financial and housing circumstances of those who have been bereaved, separated or divorced.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 100: How does the loss of a partner affect housing outcomes?

Wed, 14 May 2008

Losing a partner whether through divorce, separation or bereavement poses a serious threat to the housing and related financial health of those affected. In the two years following household dissolution from divorce or separation, rates of home ownership fell from 69 per cent to below 50 per cent.

Research Paper The impact of housing assistance on the employment and wage outcomes of labour market program participants

Wed, 7 May 2008

This report summaries existing literature on the impact of Housing assistance on the employment and earning outcomes of labour market participants. It pays particular attention to US studies that compare the work outcomes of welfare reforms across the two subgroups, those receiving housing subsidies and those not receiving housing subsidies. The data and methodology are described and the empirical results are presented and interpreted. The report then concludes with policy implications arising from the research and suggests areas for future work.

Positioning Paper No. 104: Sustaining at-risk Indigenous tenancies

Wed, 23 Apr 2008

This study examines the role of tenancy support programs in assisting Indigenous households maintain their tenancies. It aims to improve our understanding of their operation and effectiveness in sustaining at-risk Indigenous tenancies. Knowledge of tenancy support programs, particularly those operating outside the public housing sector, is limited. The study will describe both mainstream and Indigenous-specific tenant support programs around Australia, outline how they operate, provide details on the representation of Indigenous people in these programs, describe the services that clients receive and assess their outcomes. The project will also provide evidence of what works and doesn't work in terms of support services to Indigenous tenancies.

Final Report No. 115: The costs and benefits of using private housing as the 'home base' for care for older people: secondary data analysis

Wed, 9 Apr 2008

This paper outlines research into the relationships between the costs and benefits of using private housing as the 'home base' for care for older people. Residential care requires relocation to the institution but provides both housing and care to older persons, whereas home-based care means that care is brought to the older person within their own home. The absence of economic evaluations of care at home for older people in Australia is significant, given that policy and care arrangements vary substantially from country to country.

Final Report No. 114: Towards a design framework for remote Indigenous housing

Wed, 2 Apr 2008

This report contains a policy-orientated synthesis of the disparate contributions to remote Indigenous housing from the design, policy and public health literatures as grounded and tested in fieldwork in three sample communities in different parts of Australia. This integration of primary and secondary research is used to develop a flexible set of guidelines to assist policy makers and built-environment professionals to respond to calls for 'suitable low-cost housing options' for Indigenous housing in remote and very remote regions of Australia.

Final Report No. 113: Child support and housing outcomes

Wed, 26 Mar 2008

This research describes the relationship between the payment and receipt of child support and housing outcomes. The focus is informed by diversifying family forms and household structures, which have implications for parenting, financial arrangements and the housing needs and outcomes of Parents Apart and their children. While these patterns are recognised as important social changes and policy challenges, they are relatively under-researched. This study seeks to discover how the payment and receipt of child support, along with the receipt of government income and housing assistance, affects the housing outcomes of Parents Apart (both resident and non-resident parents).

Positioning Paper No. 103: The impact of home maintenance and modification services on health, community care and housing outcomes in later life

Wed, 19 Mar 2008

The aim of this research project is to provide an analytical framework and research foundation for understanding the impact of home maintenance and modification (HMM) services on health, community care and housing outcomes in later life, and for developing more effective public policies relating to provision of these services.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 099: Is the Australian housing system sustainable?

Fri, 7 Mar 2008

The current Commonwealth Housing Assistance system is fiscally sustainable in net terms, but only because future higher expenditures on Rent Assistance will be partially offset by lower expenditure on First Home Owner Grants.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 098: Understanding the housing careers and aspirations of urban Indigenous households

Fri, 29 Feb 2008

The strongest forces shaping the housing careers of urban Indigenous Australians are long-term poverty, family and neighbourhood violence, and social housing accessibility and management practices.

Final Report No. 112: The housing careers of Indigenous urban households

Fri, 29 Feb 2008

The setting of Indigenous social life in the towns and cities of Western Australia is the family community. The family community is an assemblage of kinsfolk who cooperate over time and distance economically, socially and politically. Housing is an integral feature of the economy of the family community in that the homes that belong to kinsfolk, whether rental or owned, constitute a resource open to use by the membership of the family community. People live primarily at one place, but may be welcomed as residents at one another's homes for reasons originating in the need to maintain kin associations, or through lack of any available housing alternatives. The idea of being a part of a family community is among the most strongly held elements of Indigenous identity. The provision of housing to kinsfolk is one expression of this identity. The housing careers of Indigenous people will therefore be differentiated from those of non-Indigenous Australians by the ongoing involvement of kinsfolk in each other's housing careers, often as co-residents at varying times and for varying periods of time.

Research Paper Home life, work and housing decisions: a qualitative analysis

Fri, 22 Feb 2008

This report presents explores the linkages between government housing assistance and economic participation in Australia. Housing assistance refers to government policy settings, regulatory regimes and programs which are intended to assist people to access and remain in affordable, adequate and appropriate housing. In particular, we focus on demand subsidies for private renters (Rent assistance) and supply subsidy programs such as public and community rental housing. Economic participation is a multi-dimensional concept that includes labour force participation (full-time or part-time employment and unemployment), participation in education or training programs (full-time or part-time), and participation in unpaid, voluntary work of various types.

Audio Briefing No. 02: Housing assistance and employment

Mon, 18 Feb 2008

Because housing is expensive assisting low-income households with their housing costs is also expensive. In welfare systems where resources are inevitably constrained arguments for sustaining or increasing levels of housing assistance can be bolstered if it can be demonstrated that such spending is an investment, not only in housing, but also in better health, education or employment outcomes.

Audio Briefing No. 01: Public housing rent policy in Australia and overseas

Fri, 15 Feb 2008

The research for this briefing was completed for AHURI by Sean McNelis and Professor Terry Burke. It presents the first comprehensive and comparative review of public housing rent policies in Australia and seven overseas countries, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Research Paper Sustaining fair shares: the Australian housing system and intergenerational sustainability

Fri, 15 Feb 2008

This report is Research Paper 11 for National Researh Venture 3, Housing affordabilty for lower-income Australians and is also published as the Final Report for Project 60314. This report examines the intergenerational sustainability of Australia's system of housing assistance over the next 40 years - the same time period covered by the Intergenerational Reports - under assumptions consistent with those made in those reports. At the same time, it broadens the IGRs' examination of sustainability (limited to fiscal sustainability for the Australian government) by looking more broadly at the intergenerational sustainability of Australia's housing system.

Positioning Paper No. 102: Integration and social housing in Australia: challenges and options

Wed, 6 Feb 2008

The aim of this study is to examine the themes of policy and service integration in the provision of social housing in Australia. In particular it seeks to identify the factors driving policy interest in this issue and stakeholder views about integration issues, challenges, opportunities and risks. The study takes a critical approach to identifying whether and in which circumstances greater integration may be beneficial. This approach aims to identify some options and priorities that may contribute to greater policy coherence and service coordination while also preserving and promoting diversity, flexibility, choice and responsiveness in social housing.

Final Report No. 111: Sustaining fair shares: the Australian housing system and intergenerational sustainability

Fri, 1 Feb 2008

This report examines the intergenerational sustainability of Australia's system of housing assistance over the next 40 years - the same time period covered by the Intergenerational Reports - under assumptions consistent with those made in those reports. At the same time, it broadens the IGRs' examination of sustainability (limited to fiscal sustainability for the Australian government) by looking more broadly at the intergenerational sustainability of Australia's housing system.

Research Paper Affordability and access to home ownership: past, present and future?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008

Whilst it might be dangerous to use the past to predict the future, it is equally dangerous to ignore the lessons of yesterday in determining what might happen tomorrow. This paper examines the implications for young adults of the changing patterns of investment in housing over several generations. It provides a brief snapshot of three distinct phases in the evolution of home ownership: as an aspiration of households in the 1950s and 1960s, as a driver of inequality for their baby boomer children in the 1970s and 1980s, and as a fading dream of their grandchildren from the 1990s to the present. It begins with the rise of home ownership in the immediate post-WWII period and ends with the rise in rental investment that dominated the most recent house price boom.

Research Paper Experiencing the housing affordability problem: blocked aspirations, trade-offs and financial hardships

Fri, 25 Jan 2008

This paper explores how both renters and recent purchasers experience, identify and negotiate housing affordability in their everyday lives, through focusing upon the experience of, and impact of, housing affordability concerns at the household level. The paper reveals the hardships that are experienced, and the compromises and trade-offs that are made to cope with these hardships. It also reveals how poor housing affordability affects expectations and perceptions of home purchase (in the case of renters), and how some recent purchasers find themselves on the margins of financial stress.

Final Report No. 110: International trends in housing and policy responses

Wed, 16 Jan 2008

This study provides a review of housing policies across an array of countries that have a similar level of economic development to that of Australia but have addressed housing questions in different ways. It aims to increase local understanding of international policy in housing, with a focus on social policies that intend to assist lower-income households to obtain appropriate and affordable housing, and to promote good ideas for policy action for consideration by Australian policy makers.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 097: What can Australia learn from international trends in housing and policy responses?

Wed, 16 Jan 2008

Recent Australian policy settings have been largely unresponsive to emerging housing challenges, such as trends to declining affordability and the greater polarisation of housing markets. While the scope and mix of policy levers required to address these issues in Australia may vary, this research suggests that there are common attributes associated with the most successful policy approaches overseas.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 096: Rental housing for lower-income older Australians

Wed, 9 Jan 2008

The number of people aged 65 years or over in low-income rental households will more than double by 2026. The social housing system, at its current growth rate, will not meet their needs.

Research Paper The housing careers of persons with a disability and family members with care responsibilities for persons with a disability

Sun, 6 Jan 2008

Project C: Qualitative data collection report of focus groups
This report summarises the results of seven focus groups that were conducted in Melbourne and Gippsland during April, May and September 2007 to gain insights into how people with a disability and carers of people with a disability view their past and present housing careers.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 095: Australian Indigenous housing research: a review and audit

Wed, 19 Dec 2007

The evidence base available to support policy reform in Indigenous housing is considerable. A multi-disciplinary field of study has, since the 1970s, established knowledge of housing design, housing management, the occupation and use of housing, home ownership, and housing and wellbeing.

Positioning Paper No. 101: Submarkets in public sector housing

Wed, 12 Dec 2007

In broad terms, the project aims to assess the concept of 'housing submarket' in relation to its potential policy relevance for the public housing sector. Internationally, the concept of submarkets has been much used in the analysis of private sector market dynamics, and the literature on it is voluminous. This research project hopes to extend the policy horizon of public housing by evaluating the relevance of adapting the concept to the sector.

Research Paper Disability delphi study report

Thu, 6 Dec 2007

As part of the NRV2, two Delphi studies were conducted, one focusing on the housing careers of the mainstream population and another focusing on housing career issues for people with disabilities. This report draws on the outcomes of the study focusing on the housing careers of people with different forms of disability. The content is drawn from responses received from the thirteen housing and disability experts who participated in the study.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 094: How can demanding behaviour in public housing be managed effectively?

Thu, 6 Dec 2007

Changes in the profile of public housing tenants in recent decades have seen a growth in the number of tenants with complex needs and demanding behaviours. By adopting practices of systematic and close support of tenants state housing authorities can assist tenants to change their behaviour and sustain their tenancies.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 093: The impact of housing costs on financial disadvantage: a small area analysis

Tue, 4 Dec 2007

There are substantial regional differences in the impact of housing costs on financial disadvantage across Australia. The strongest impact of housing costs is found in clusters of outer suburban areas and in key rural and regional areas.

Research Paper Housing assistance and economic participation (Research plan)

Fri, 30 Nov 2007

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 092: How do housing and housing assistance relate to social cohesion?

Wed, 28 Nov 2007

Social cohesion has three key dimensions: social connectedness, inequality and cultural environment. Many aspects of housing, including tenure type and location, affect the level of social cohesion within a community.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 091: Patterns and trends in Australian non-metropolitan housing markets

Thu, 22 Nov 2007

Private renters in large and expanding non-metropolitan population centres experienced high rates of housing stress in 2001, reflecting a low supply of private and public rental accommodation in these places.

Final Report No. 109: The regional impact of housing costs and assistance on financial disadvantage

Tue, 20 Nov 2007

This study uses spatial microsimulation techniques to estimate at a small area level the impact of housing costs on spatial differences in financial disadvantage, and the effect of housing assistance in reducing disadvantage.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 090: Supporting the housing of people with complex needs

Thu, 15 Nov 2007

People with complex needs encounter additional barriers in accessing and maintaining stable housing. Good local partnerships and collaboration between housing and support providers create much better outcomes for people with complex needs, regardless of their type of disability.

Research Paper Older persons in public housing: present and future profile

Tue, 13 Nov 2007

This research project seeks to develop a profile of older public housing tenants, identifies the housing policy and management issues associated with older tenants, identifies the issues associated with linkages to support services for older persons and discuses the implications of these issues and new approaches to older people for the future of public housing and State and Territory Housing Authorities.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 089: The financial impact of welfare targeting in public housing

Wed, 7 Nov 2007

Greater targeting of housing and greater access to concessional rents cost public housing authorities around $200 million in 2004/05 compared with the mid-1990s.

Final Report No. 108: Public housing: shifting client profiles and public housing revenues

Fri, 2 Nov 2007

This report documents and quantifies the recent historical impact of changing client profiles in South Australia and Victoria; forecasts public housing recurrent income given existing allocation priorities; assesses the long-term cost to State Housing Authorities of pursuing a policy of allocating to those 'most in need'; identifies the implications of policy changes for future recurrent income; and provides a quantitative modelling tool for housing providers to assess their own circumstances.

Final Report No. 107: Trends in Australian non-metropolitan housing markets, 1991-2001

Thu, 25 Oct 2007

This Final Report aims to quantify the nature and extent of changes in the decade 1991-2001 within nonmetropolitan housing markets in Australia and, integral to achieving this first goal, to construct the first national non-metropolitan housing market database to hold empirical information on population, housing and labour markets for the census years 1991, 1996 and 2001.

Final Report No. 106: Operating deficits and public housing: policy options for reversing the trend, 2005/06 update

Fri, 19 Oct 2007

Mindful of the difficult issues facing public housing in Australia, and in need of more current information on operating deficits this report is an update of the 2004 report that was based on 2000/01 financial year information.

Positioning Paper No. 100: Risk-assessment practices in the private rental sector: implications for low-income renters

Thu, 11 Oct 2007

This Positioning Paper provides the context, sets out the theoretical framework and outlines the research strategy underpinning a study into the factors influencing risk-assessment and tenancy allocation practices used by property managers in the private rental market. The study builds on previous research demonstrating that a relatively large proportion of low-cost private rental accommodation is occupied by moderate- to high-income households. However, this is occurring in an environment where the private rental sector is now the de facto main provider of rental housing for lower-income households across Australia.

Research Paper Housing affordability and financial stress

Wed, 3 Oct 2007

This report provides a statistical analysis of the factors that contribute to financial stress. The key research question analysed is whether high housing costs contribute to financial stress. The report uses data collected by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the 2003-04 Household Expenditure Survey (HES) to undertake this analysis.

Positioning Paper No. 099: International practice in planning for affordable housing: lessons for Australia

Thu, 27 Sep 2007

This Positioning Paper presents the review of international practice in planning for affordable housing and establishes a methodological framework for the subsequent empirical component of the study.

Final Report No. 105: Housing affordability: a 21st century problem

Fri, 21 Sep 2007

This report provides a summary of the major findings that have emerged out of the third AHURI-funded National Research Venture (NRV3), Housing affordability for lower income Australians. It identifies the major risks and challenges in relation to Australia's housing problem in the 21st century, as well as drawing out policy implications.

Research Paper The polarisation of housing affordability

Fri, 21 Sep 2007

This report provides a statistical analysis of the factors that affect the aggregate proportion of households with a housing cost to income ratio of 30 per cent or more.

Research Paper A review of the integration of state and territory housing and disability policies in Australia

Wed, 12 Sep 2007

This report investigates the extent of integration of state and territory housing and disability policies in Australia. Importantly, the report also provides a policy background and context for current empirical research being undertaken by the AHURI Southern Research Centre into the housing careers of people with disabilities in Victoria.
References to Government policy are current at August 2006.

Final Report No. 104: Supporting the housing of people with complex needs

Wed, 5 Sep 2007

This report focuses on the issue of providing housing and support to people with complex needs, specifically people with physical disability, people with intellectual disability, and people with mental illness. It builds on the extensive literature review undertaken in the Positioning Paper, which highlighted some problems with conceptualising this issue as a matter of finding and applying particular housing and support models to address the particular needs of people within these groups.

Final Report No. 103: A sustaining tenancies approach to managing demanding behaviour in public housing: a good practice guide

Wed, 8 Aug 2007

This guide has been written as a desktop manual to help in the formulation of policy, practice and ideas for sustaining tenancies in public housing. It aims to show how eviction can be avoided through positive measures to provide a supportive environment for tenancies.

Final Report No. 103: Appendix to 'A sustaining tenancies approach to managing demanding behaviour in public housing: a good practice guide'

Wed, 8 Aug 2007

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 088: Where do low-income private renters live?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007

Low-income private renters are increasingly to be found in the middle and outer suburbs of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Research Paper Approaches to evaluation of affordable housing initiatives in Australia

Fri, 27 Jul 2007

The release of the Framework for National Action on Affordable Housing in 2005 demonstrates the commitment of policy makers to expand affordable housing initiatives in Australia. Building in evaluation strategies from the outset will be an important task for housing policy makers. This report provides an overview of ideas in evaluation theory and methods and applies this to affordable housing policy and practice, including a worked example of how to evaluate a particular affordable housing project.

Final Report No. 102: An audit and review of Australian Indigenous housing research

Thu, 12 Jul 2007

This report examined the Indigenous housing literature from the 1970s through to the 2000s. The report aimed to critically review the literature on Indigenous Housing in Australia with a view to conceptualising the body of knowledge on the subject in theoretically and practically useful ways, and identifying gaps and unresolved research issues that have a bearing on the creation and maintenance of a reasonable quality of residential lifestyle for Indigenous people. The research investigated the characteristics of this field of research and its key themes. The project considered the relationship of the existing body of Indigenous housing research to the 'Building a Better Future' (BBF) vision and its projected Indigenous housing outcomes as established by the Housing Ministers' Advisory Council of Australia in 2001.

Final Report No. 101: Rent assistance and the spatial concentration of low income households in metropolitan Australia

Thu, 28 Jun 2007

This report focuses on the position of low-income households including those in employment (i.e. the 'working poor') in the private rental market to better understand the outcomes of the current policy framework on the housing opportunities open to them.

Positioning Paper No. 098: Flexible guidelines for the design of remote Indigenous community housing

Wed, 13 Jun 2007

This report is a response to the need for a flexible framework of design guidelines - a "design system" - for remote Indigenous housing. As such, the project will provide concepts and design principles to supplement the focus on safety, health, quality control and sustainability in the National Indigenous Housing Guide and related State and Territory guidelines, with principles for the design and modification of Indigenous housing that reflect the ways in which Indigenous people use their homes and which meet the cultural and social requirements of Indigenous communities in remote Australia.

Research Paper What has determined longer run trends in Public Housing tenants' employment participation 1982-2002?

Wed, 30 May 2007

In the twenty years 1982-2002 the employment participation rate of all working age persons has increased. As is well known there are very different patterns by gender. The female employment participation rate has increased sharply and the male employment participation rate has declined. Less well known are the diverging trends by housing tenure. Since 1982 there has been a particularly sharp increase in participation rates among women residing in households that are buying their home. On the other hand employment participation rates among female public housing tenants have remained low. Among males there are small declines in the employment participation rate of homeowners and private rental tenants, but a sharp decline among male public renters over the same time period.

Final Report No. 100: Housing and social cohesion: an empirical exploration

Thu, 24 May 2007

The research identifies three dimensions of social cohesion: social connectedness, inequality, and cultural environment. Home ownership is more positively associated with each of these dimensions than either public or private renting.

Positioning Paper No. 097: Sustaining tenants with demanding behaviour: a review of the research evidence

Fri, 18 May 2007

This paper looks at the research literature concerned with managing and supporting tenants in social housing who present difficult and demanding behaviour.

Final Report No. 098: Rental housing provision for lower-income older Australians

Thu, 10 May 2007

A projected increase of 115 per cent from 2001-2026 in the number of lower-income people aged 65 and over living in rental households far exceeds the supply capacity of the social housing system. A new governance approach drawing together the resources of the public, community and market sectors is required to ensure satisfactory housing outcomes for older, lower-income renters.

Positioning Paper No. 096: Child support and housing outcomes

Tue, 24 Apr 2007

Separation and lone parenthood are associated with often negative housing and financial outcomes. A significantly higher proportion of lone parent households rent, compared to couple households with children; they are also over-represented in social housing.

Other Improving access to social housing: Resource kit: A practitioner's guide to review and reform of social housing allocation systems

Mon, 16 Apr 2007

Final Report No. 097: Improving access to social housing: paradigms, principles and reforms

Mon, 2 Apr 2007

The research concludes that 'common housing registers', 'choice-based lettings' and 'local allocations policies' represent different paradigms of social housing reform (welfarist, consumer choice, sustaining communities). Despite their widespread introduction overseas only the outcomes of choice based lettings are known and these are positive.

Final Report No. 099: The effects of New Living on Indigenous wellbeing: a case study on urban renewal

Sat, 10 Mar 2007

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 087: How does housing assistance affect employment, health and social cohesion?

Fri, 9 Mar 2007

International evidence shows that housing assistance provides positive 'non-shelter' benefits through affecting affordability, tenure type, security of tenure, location and dwelling quality, but key gaps remain in the Australian evidence base.

Positioning Paper No. 095: Aboriginal housing careers in Western Australian towns and cities

Fri, 16 Feb 2007

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 086: How can the benefits of housing regeneration programs be sustained?

Mon, 5 Feb 2007

Formal exit strategies from social housing regeneration programs assist an estate to become a community by involving local tenants, developing leadership capacity and establishing community-run successor organisations.

Positioning Paper No. 094: The costs and benefits of using private housing as the 'home base' for care for older people: a systematic literature review

Tue, 23 Jan 2007

This paper outlines research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute University of Sydney Research Centre into the relationships between the costs and benefits of using private housing as the 'home base' for care for older people.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 084: Financing affordable housing: a critical comparative review of the United Kingdom and Australia

Thu, 26 Oct 2006

Private investment in social and affordable housing has increased significantly in the United Kingdom over the past 30 years. The reverse is true for Australia.

Positioning Paper No. 093: The implications of loss of a partner for older private renters

Tue, 3 Oct 2006

This positioning paper explores the implications of loss of a partner for private renters aged 50 years and over (aged 50+). The scope of the analysis includes singles who turned 50 having previously lost a partner through death, separation or divorce and those who lose a partner after turning 50. The issue is significant not only because of the impact on the individual who has lost their partner, but also because of demographic trends such as the ageing of the population and rising marital separation rates which will find an increasing proportion of the population facing this situation.

Positioning Paper No. 092: The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of homelessness prevention and assistance programs

Thu, 21 Sep 2006

This Positioning Paper describes the research design for a study on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of homelessness prevention and support programs operating in Western Australia. It also provides the reader with a brief review of the relevant literature and of the policy context which informs the study. The Final Report will present the findings of the research and outline the policy implications which flow from those findings.

Positioning Paper No. 091: Housing, housing assistance and social cohesion

Tue, 5 Sep 2006

This Positioning Paper is the first report of a project funded by AHURI which fills a part of the gap in knowledge about the linkages between housing, housing assistance and social cohesion. It explores the relevance of the social cohesion concept for housing policy and practice in Australia, develops a conceptual framework for understanding these linkages, explores the indicators which have been used to measure some of these linkages, and indicates how the empirical part of the research will proceed. This paper is based on a review and reflection of relevant literature.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 083: What drives Australian housing careers?

Tue, 29 Aug 2006

Today, the traditional Australian housing career is driven by such fundamental changes in demography and labour markets that it is no longer possible to talk of a single, linear Australian housing career.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 081: Can tenant incentive schemes improve housing management outcomes?

Wed, 23 Aug 2006

The small scale tenant incentive schemes existing in Australia are perceived by housing managers and tenants to contribute to improvements in service delivery, organisational culture and staff and tenant satisfaction.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 082: Youth homelessness in rural Australia

Wed, 23 Aug 2006

Young people facing or experiencing homelessness in rural Australia have very different experiences to those in urban areas. The Foyer Model is one response that could help young rural people establish themselves, without relocating them to cities away from their support networks.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 082: Youth homelessness in rural Australia

Wed, 23 Aug 2006

Young people facing or experiencing homelessness in rural Australia have very different experiences to their urban contemporaries. The Foyer Model is one response that could help young rural people establish themselves, without relocating them to cities away from their support networks.

Final Report No. 096: A review of housing management tenant incentive schemes

Wed, 23 Aug 2006

This report is the final output of a study undertaken to review the utility of tentant incentive schemes in the Australian context. It presents the findings from four state-wide case study investigations undertaken in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 080: How effective are private rental support programs?

Thu, 17 Aug 2006

Private rental support programs effectively help low income private renters access a home but are not sufficient for those facing affordability and personal problems to sustain tenancy.

Research Paper Housing affordability and the economy: A review of labour market impacts and policy issues

Wed, 16 Aug 2006

This report focuses on the issue of (mis)match between labour and housing markets in large, globally connected cities in the current era of globalisation. Inevitably, attention in the Australian context is directed towards Sydney and Melbourne. The basic argument draws on the urban analyses of theorists like Sassen, Fainstein and Marcuse who see the processes of globalisation impacting very unevenly across and within countries and who point to the primary role of particular cities and within them, particular regions, as the locus of dynamic economic growth.

This is a National Research Venture publication. For further information please see Housing Affordability for Lower-income Australians

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 079: How does housing density affect disadvantage across the city?

Tue, 8 Aug 2006

Infill housing in middle ring suburbs is a destination for low-income, disadvantaged households in the private rental market.

Positioning Paper No. 090: The regional impact of housing costs and assistance on financial disadvantage

Thu, 20 Jul 2006

The conceptualisation and measurement of poverty and disadvantage is a highly-contested area of debate among researchers, policy makers and social service providers. This paper outlines some of the key theoretical frameworks that have been used in Australia to understand poverty and disadvantage. The paper includes a review of previous literature that has examined the relationship between housing costs and poverty, discusses the policy context and outlines a range of issues related to measurement, and how the researchers propose to address these issues in this study.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 076: Long-term housing futures for Australia: using 'foresight' to explore alternative visions and choices

Tue, 4 Jul 2006

Policy choices now: Exploring the range of future scenarios for housing in Australia

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 075: Social housing rental policy in Australia and overseas

Thu, 29 Jun 2006

International housing comparisons reveal that Australia's public housing system received relatively low subsidies, undermining its financial viability.

Final Report No. 095: Rental systems in Australia and overseas

Thu, 29 Jun 2006

This report traverses some difficult and complex issues: rent, rental systems, social housing finance systems, the objective of social housing, affordability, equity, financial viability and work disincentives. It not only discusses these issues in themselves but more importantly, relates them to one another.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 073: Evictions and Housing Management

Wed, 28 Jun 2006

Evictions have detrimental effects on those evicted and result in increased costs for governments. The circumstances warranting eviction could be prevented by counselling and education programs for at risk groups.

Final Report No. 094: Evictions and housing management

Wed, 28 Jun 2006

This research set out to establish an evidence base around public and private sector rental evictons in Australia that will assist in the formulation of policies and strategies that reduce the cost burden of evictions on housing providers and managers. Ideally, the evidence base would result in fewer evictions and less disruption within the lives of low-income people vulnerable to eviction.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 074: Are housing affordability problems creating labour shortages?

Wed, 21 Jun 2006

Up until 2001 there was little direct evidence that housing affordability problems were heightening labour shortages, as low-income jobs moved to low cost suburbs, and those jobs in the inner city—such as hospitality or retail jobs—were filled by young people who were more likely to share housing costs in group households.

Research Paper Housing affordability and the economy: a review of macroeconomic impacts and policy issues

Wed, 21 Jun 2006

The focus of this report is on the key economic effects of problems associated with housing affordability. The basic aim is to provide a broader-than-normal rationale for, and a basis on which to develop, policies designed to improve affordability outcomes. Housing affordability is here considered in relation to the operation of the national and regional economies and not merely as a question of social policy.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 072: The cost of housing in diverse Indigenous communities in Australia

Wed, 7 Jun 2006

Both state owned and managed Indigenous housing organisations (SOMIH) and Indigenous community housing organisations (ICHOS) experience operating deficits greater than those of mainstream public housing agencies. This deficit is due to poor quality and high maintenance housing stock, low rental streams, poor dwelling maintenance, poor management practices, and remote locations.

Final Report No. 092: Baseline small area projections of the demand for housing assistance

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 060: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities

Tue, 6 Sep 2005

Consultation in remote Indigenous communities that seek to improve housing outcomes fail due to a disregard for cultural and domestic issues, a lack of coordination between service providers, and the absence of uniform national, state and local government guidelines. Protocols for cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary consultation, project management for coordination and a database to provide common information are required.

Final Report No. 079: Enhacing research-policy linkages in Australian housing: an options paper

Sun, 1 May 2005

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 056: How to help Indigenous families into stable housing and sustainable tenancy

Sun, 1 May 2005

Approaches to providing stable housing and sustaining tenancies for Indigenous women are affected by their high mobility and poor service access, and compounded by differences between the structures and definitions of current services and perceptions of homelessness by Indigenous women.

Positioning Paper No. 083: Trends in Australian non-metropolitan housing markets 1991-2001

Sun, 1 May 2005

Positioning Paper No. 084: Housing affordability, occupation and location in Australian cities and regions

Sun, 1 May 2005

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 055: Public Housing, Policing and Crime Reduction

Sun, 1 May 2005

Reducing crime in public housing areas with community renewal requires social, rather than physical, interventions. Intense interagency and whole-of-government approaches and empathetic, locally based, housing management and community policing are particularly valuable.

Final Report No. 078: Falling through the net: a risk management model for home ownership schemes

Tue, 26 Apr 2005

Final Report No. 077: Long-term housing futures for Australia: using 'foresight' to explore alternative visions and choices

Fri, 1 Apr 2005

Final Report No. 076: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities

Fri, 1 Apr 2005

Final Report No. 061: Changes in the supply of and need for low rent dwellings in the private rental market

Tue, 1 Jun 2004

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 045: Measuring housing affordability

Tue, 1 Jun 2004

Commonly used benchmark measures may disguise the extent of housing stress in Australia. Substantial proportions of low-income public and private renters may not have enough money to meet the cost of living after paying rent, and this situation appears to have worsened over time.

Positioning Paper No. 076: Evictions and housing management: toward more effective strategies

Tue, 1 Jun 2004

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 037: Social exclusion and housing

Mon, 1 Mar 2004

The concept of social exclusion is no more useful than the widely used concepts of poverty and inequality when exploring issues of disadvantage and housing. But it is potentially helpful to focus attention on the role that both individual agency and structural factors play in determining poverty and inequality.

Positioning Paper No. 069: Developing appropriate exit strategies for housing regeneration / renewal programs

Mon, 1 Mar 2004

Sun, 1 Feb 2004

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 032: Community regeneration in Melbourne's West

Sun, 1 Feb 2004

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

Government policies that promote access to home ownership have the potential to lift home ownership rates in the short run, particularly if they are targeted to ease house deposit and mortgage repayment constraints.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 028: A model of the Australian housing market

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

AHURI has developed a microsimulation model to analyse the impact of existing and proposed government policies on the Australian housing market.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 029: Increasing the supply of affordable private rental housing

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

The supply of affordable housing in the private rental market could be increased if the Australian government building write-off allowance were replaced by a low income housing tax credit, and by amendments to state and territory Land Tax and Stamp Duty.

Final Report No. 050: Developing effective housing management policies to address problems of anti-social behavior

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 031: Heroin use and housing

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

Without secure housing, it is virtually impossible for heroin users to access services providing maintenance, withdrawal and detoxification treatments or family services aimed at assisting the children of drug users.

Final Report No. 049: Categories of Indigenous 'homeless' people and good practice responses to their needs

Sat, 1 Nov 2003

Final Report No. 048: Housing need and provision for recently arrived refugees in Australia

Wed, 1 Oct 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 027: Tax concessions and subsidies for Australian homebuyers and home owners

Wed, 1 Oct 2003

Home ownership in Australia is exempt from capital gains tax and other income taxes. The value of these indirect subsidies to owner-occupiers in 2001 was estimated to amount to $21 billion.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 026: Do unemployed people move to job opportunities?

Wed, 1 Oct 2003

Unemployed people tend to move to areas of better employment opportunities and thereby increase their likelihood of leaving income support. Private renters are most likely to move, next public renters and home owners are least likely to move.

Positioning Paper No. 063: Understanding the roles of housing costs and housing assistance in creating employment disincentives

Mon, 1 Sep 2003

Positioning Paper No. 064: What drives housing outcomes in Australia? Understanding the role of aspirations, household formation, economic incentives and labour market interactions

Mon, 1 Sep 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 025: Do community housing organisations strengthen communities?

Mon, 1 Sep 2003

Wed, 23 Jul 2003

The research reviewed evidence of the costs to a range of government services and the costs to society of homelessness, and aimed to promote innovation in policy development and in the provision of support services by identifying key intervention opportunities that might prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of homelessness.

Research Paper Counting the cost of homelessness: A systematic review of cost effectiveness and cost benefit studies of homelessness

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 022: Do private tenants want longer-term leases?

Sun, 1 Jun 2003

Do private tenants want flexibility and choice, or do they want security and long-term stability? The private tenants surveyed in this project would give higher priority to greater flexibility and choice than to a longer-term lease.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 023: Home ownership in Australia - the gap between aspiration and achievement

Sun, 1 Jun 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 020: The key role of housing in regional development

Tue, 1 Apr 2003

What part does housing play in effective regional development, and what role could it play? This report explores the connections between housing policy and regional and local development, drawing on experience from overseas and Australia.

Final Report No. 036: Policy options for stimulating private sector involvement in affordable housing across Australia: operationalising and implementing viable new options

Tue, 1 Apr 2003

Final Report No. 035: A distributional analysis of the impact of indirect housing assistance

Tue, 1 Apr 2003

Final Report No. 035: Appendices - A distributional analysis of the impact of indirect housing assistance

Tue, 1 Apr 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 018: An international review of housing allowances

Tue, 1 Apr 2003

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

How does the changing labour market influence the behaviour of first time home buyers? It is an important research issue, given the evidence suggesting that the traditionally high proportion of home buyers in Australia has fallen by about ten per cent over the past decade.

Final Report No. 030: Housing aspirations of Australian households

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

Final Report No. 031: Tenancy databases: risk minimisation and outcomes

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

Positioning Paper No. 047: Allocating social housing

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 016: Stable housing for people living with a mental illness

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

Housing affordability in Australia is declining, especially for low-income tenants in the private sector. A number of attempts have been made to attract more private investment into boosting the supply of affordable housing in Australia. However these attempts have been one-off and small-scale, enjoying very limited success. Large professional and institutional investors continue to avoid the private rental sector in this country.

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 012: Housing, housing assistance and well being for older people

Thu, 1 Aug 2002

How do housing and housing assistance influence well being for older people? It is an important question, particularly given current policy focus on encouraging older people to remain in the community as long as possible.

Positioning Paper No. 040: A distributional analysis of the impact of direct and indirect housing assistance

Thu, 1 Aug 2002

Positioning Paper No. 041: Housing policy and sustainable urban development: evaluating the use of local housing strategies in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria

Thu, 1 Aug 2002

Final Report No. 020: Housing Assistance: the lifetime impacts

Mon, 1 Jul 2002

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 010: Housing, housing assistance and wellbeing

Mon, 1 Jul 2002

Mon, 1 Jul 2002

Positioning Paper No. 032: Demand subsidies for private renters: a comparative review

Sat, 1 Jun 2002

Positioning Paper No. 033: Linkages between housing and support - what is important from the perspective of people living with a mental illness

Sat, 1 Jun 2002

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 009: Improving housing and care for adults with disabilities

Sat, 1 Jun 2002

Wed, 1 May 2002

For people living with mental illness, having stable accommodation and being able to sustain their tenancies (including through episodes of acute illness) is a major challenge. Some of these people have considerable difficulty accessing or maintaining stable housing without effective coordination between housing and other support services; for others the ability to live independently depends on being able to get affordable, secure and appropriate housing.

Final Report No. 013: Appendices - Linkages between housing assistance, residential (re)location, and use of community health and social care by old-old adults: shelter and non-shelter implications for housing policy development

Mon, 1 Apr 2002

Final Report No. 013: Linkages between housing assistance, residential (re)location, and use of community health and social care by old-old adults: shelter and non-shelter implications for housing policy development

Mon, 1 Apr 2002

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 006: Do housing conditions make a difference to our health? A study of home ownership and renting in Australia

Mon, 1 Apr 2002

Research and Policy Bulletin Issue 002: Meeting the housing needs of people with intellectual disabilities