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 changing geography of homelessness in Australia (2001-2021) and its structural drivers
This project will address the overarching policy question: What structural factors are important in driving short and longer-term changes in the incidence and geography of homelessness over the period 2001–2021? To what extent is the location of specialist homelessness services and affordable rental housing adequate to respond to this changing geography?