News

The research, ‘Housing key workers: scoping challenges, aspirations, and policy responses for Australian cities’, undertaken for AHURI by researchers from the University of Sydney examines the affordability, housing situations and commuting patterns of key workers (including teachers, nurses, emergency service workers, community welfare workers, public transport operators, delivery personnel, cleaners and laundry workers) in Sydney and Melbourne.

The 2021-2022 Budget contains funding for a number of economic and infrastructure themes relevant to Australian cities and surrounding urban areas and here are some of the significant announcements. If you are interested in the key housing policy announcements you can read our overview from Managing Director Michael Fotheringham.

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) commissioned research by AHURI on overcrowding as part of the implementation of the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2018–2023. The research was undertaken in response to analysis showing an increase in homelessness in NSW with (severe) overcrowding being the main contributor.

As Australia navigates social and economic recoveries from COVID-19, housing markets across the country are showing strain. House prices are surging across the nation, and rental vacancies are at record lows. No single policy intervention will provide a ‘silver bullet’ to solve Australia’s housing affordability and availability challenges, and housing is not a major focus of this budget.

AHURI is proud to be a sponsor at the Planning Institute of Australia’s 2021 Virtual Congress.  This year’s congress will officially kick off with the virtual presentation of the 2021 PIA National Awards for Planning Excellence on 24 May 2021.