Research in progress
Explore our current research projects underway, examining a range of contemporary housing and urban policy questions. Current research priorities are determined in consultation with state/territory and federal government officials, industry and non-government experts.
Safe and secure accommodation solutions for seasonal workers in regional industries
Seasonal workers’ accommodation is a contentious issue for seasonal workers, employers and local government. Changes in regional housing markets have greatly increased the cost and reduced the availability of accommodation, and in many coastal locations seasonal workers are competing for housing with long-term residents and tourists. This research project analyses barriers to safely accommodating seasonal workers in regional Australia.
Shared equity programs in Australia: features, impacts and growth potential
AHURI research has highlighted the significant potential of shared equity schemes in enabling access to homeownership. However, while shared equity models have been widely implemented overseas, in Australia they remain under-utilised. This project will examine the objectives and characteristics of government-led shared equity models and evaluate the effectiveness of different models as pathways to mainstream homeownership.
Short term rental accommodation: models, impacts and policy responses
There is widespread concern about the housing market and neighbourhood impacts of short term rental accommodation (STRA) platforms such as Airbnb. This project will chart a national typology of STRA, quantifying housing impacts across metropolitan and regional case studies.
Small-area analysis and projections of social housing change
Public housing asset optimisation, including disposal and subsequent relocation, is a standard for fundraising across Australia. This is variously due to increasing cost of maintaining ageing housing assets; policy aims reducing public housing concentrations and locating housing in higher amenity areas; growing popularity of mixed-tenure schemes; and a broad lack of consistent funding for new stock. While this process creates an income stream now, it is not future focused.
The role of Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) in housing, financial, well-being and health outcomes
Over a third of Australian households are currently private or public renters, with homeownership becoming more challenging to achieve as house price growth accelerates and income growth remains sluggish. Regardless of whether or not households aspire to homeownership, the current macroeconomic environment is characterised by rising costs of living, in part due to rising housing costs. In particular, rents currently make up around 6 percent of the CPI basket, making it the second largest household expenditure class.