Skip to main content
Header image

Latest news

In the Media 7th July 2022 in In the Media
In the Media 7th July 2022 in In the Media

Australia spent $20bn on first-home buyer support over a decade – and pushed up prices, report says

This article in The Guardian reveals that Australian governments have spent over $20bn supporting first homebuyers over the past decade. However, recent AHURI research - which compared Australia’s policies with those in six European nations and Singapore  - has found that such programs often benefit existing homeowners rather than enabling home-ownership for households otherwise excluded.

view details
In the Media 7th July 2022 in In the Media
In the Media 7th July 2022 in In the Media

Without meaningful national housing strategies, first-home buyer schemes will only increase owners’ wealth

In this opinion piece published by The Guardian, researchers Hal Pawson and Chris Martin question the effectiveness of the various first homebuyer assistance schemes Australian governments have introduced over the past decade. These schemes have been widely criticised by economists and public policy experts, and as new AHURI research has revealed, each new boost in assistance drives prices further beyond reach for those who miss out.

view details
brief 6th July 2022 in brief
brief 6th July 2022 in brief

What is the right level of social housing for Australia?

In the 40 years between 1981 and 2021 the percentage of all Australian households living in social housing has ranged from 4.9 per cent in 1981 to 3.8 per cent in 2021. Such a drop in the proportion of social housing raises the question of has Australia achieved the balance right, and also just what is the right level of social housing for Australia?

view details
In the Media 30th June 2022 in In the Media
In the Media 30th June 2022 in In the Media

Bye-bye quarter-acre block: more Australians are living in apartments – but do they meet our needs?

Australians are turning to apartment living in record numbers, as the 2021 Census shows about 1.3 million Australians now live in apartments (an increase of 1.1% from 2016). In this article in The Guardian, AHURI's Dr Michael Fotheringham discusses the changing housing needs of Australians and some of the drivers of increased apartment living.

view details