
Briefs
What the 2021 Census data told us about Homelessness
The ABS 2021 Census homelessness data was released in March 2023. The data has shown a number of changes in patterns of homelessness since 2016, however, as the Census was taken during a time of COVID restrictions, these patterns are not necessarily indicative of ongoing trends.
What is the difference between social housing and affordable housing - and why do they matter?
As Australia is gripped by a worsening housing and rental crisis, discussion has centred on the urgent need for more social and affordable housing. While they are terms often used together, (and could be easily mistaken as interchangeable), ‘social housing’ and ‘affordable housing’ are two different things. This AHURI brief explores: Just what is social housing, what is affordable housing, and why are they both so important for our market-based housing system?
New social housing will be more energy efficient, but older houses are still costing us dearly
Poor energy ratings for homes have far-reaching effects, not just for environmental emissions, but also for the health and financial wellbeing of the people who live in them. This AHURI brief draws on our research to highlight the current situation for Australia’s social housing stocks, home to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
Why Australia needs to do more to protect tenants' data
Large data breaches recently in Australia have been caused by cyber hacking of data, but the legal collection and use of data, particularly rental data, from people is of concern too. Not only can tenants' personal data be hacked and/or leaked, it can also be used to manipulate them, or even to discriminate against them.
Programs to make home accessible for older tenants
Modifying dwellings to enable older residents to live more independently means people stay in their homes longer and saves governments money in not having to supply greater numbers of beds in supported age care establishments. However, for older people who do not own their dwellings such modifications are only possible with permission from landlords, and usually properties must be returned to their previous state when the tenancy ends. If the older tenant then has to move into another private rental dwelling they will have to pay for modifications (and repairs) again. This would be the case each time they are required to move into a new property.