New research commences as part of the 2022 National Housing Research Program

AHURI is very pleased to announce a suite of research projects funded through the 2022 National Housing Research Program (NHRP). In all, this year’s program has funded one Inquiry (with four supporting research projects); 12 stand-alone research projects, and one Priority project – a fast-tracked research project focussed on housing policy responses during the pandemic. 

The ‘Inquiry into projecting Australia’s urban and regional futures: population dynamics, regional mobility and planning responses’ will develop new insights into population dynamics and the drivers of regional mobility. This important research will inform Australia’s future settlement and infrastructure planning at national, state and local levels. 

Other projects include an investigation to better understand poverty in Australian housing; research into how COVID-19 has changed patterns of dwelling demand and supply; and modelling landlord behaviour and its impact on rental affordability.

‘The Inquiry and research projects supported by the 2022 NHRP will make a significant contribution to Australia’s housing policies and economic progress,’ says Dr Michael Fotheringham, Managing Director of AHURI. ‘In particular, the Inquiry and supporting projects exploring population dynamics is a timely body of research as Australia focuses on how we might best develop our regional cities to increase productivity and liveability.’

The priority research project, Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic housing policy responses, commenced early in order to fast-track findings to support ongoing pandemic policy reform and is now published. This research reviewed Australia’s COVID-19 housing policy responses to better understand their intervention approach, underlying logic, short and long term goals, target groups and level of success.

2022 National Housing Research Program projects

Inquiry into projecting Australia’s urban and regional futures: population dynamics, regional mobility and planning responses
This Inquiry explores population dynamics and the drivers of regional mobility - Led by Professor Nicole Gurran at the University of Sydney.

This Inquiry is supported by research projects:

• Improving small area population projections - Led by Professor Emma Baker at the University of Adelaide.
• Understanding contemporary demographic and economic drivers of household mobility and policy implications - Led by Associate Professor Hoon Han at the University of New South Wales.
• Place-based drivers and effective management of population growth and change in regional Australia - Led by Dr Caitlin Buckle at the University of Sydney.
• Regional housing market spillovers - Led by Dr Maria Yanotti at the University of Tasmania.

Research Projects

Investigative Panel into building and retaining an effective homelessness sector workforce
This project explores the workforce strategies required to deliver a better developed specialist homelessness sector workforce. Led by Dr Amity James at Curtin University.

Investigative Panel on understanding poverty in Australian housing
This Investigative Panel will generate deeper insight into the relationships between housing and poverty. Led by Professor kylie valentine at the University of New South Wales.

Investigative Panel into drivers and outcomes of public housing relocation
This Investigative Panel will examine how public housing outcomes are shaped by different drivers and practices of tenant relocation. Led by Professor Libby Porter at RMIT University.

The new normal: COVID-19 and changed patterns of dwelling demand and supply
This research will examine how Covid-19 has changed patterns of housing demand and supply and if these are likely to be permanent shifts? Led by Professor Steven Rowley at Curtin University.

From mixed tenure development to mixed tenure neighbourhoods
This research identifies opportunities for increasing the quality, diversity and frequency of mixed tenure developments. Led by Dr Lee-Anne Khor at Monash University.

Specialist Disability Accommodation in the social housing sector: policy and practice
This research explores policy and practice opportunities to improve the delivery of SDA housing in the context of the NDIS. Led by Professor Katie Ellis at Curtin University.

Towards an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy: understanding national approaches in contemporary policy
This project will substantiate the rationale for an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy. Led by Dr Chris Martin at the University of New South Wales.

Indigenous mobility and its impact on remote infrastructural needs: an exploratory study
This project will enhance understanding of current mobility patterns and improved policy strategies to support Indigenous people living on country. Led by Dr Megan Moskos at The University of Adelaide.

Changes in supply/demand for affordable housing in the private rental sector, 2016–2021
The project analyses changes in supply/demand for affordable private rental housing in Australia 2016–21. Led by Ms Margaret Reynolds at Swinburne University.

Modelling landlord behaviour and its impact on rental affordability: insights across two decades
This project will generate an up-to-date national evidence base on landlords’ rental investment behaviour. Led by Dr Ranjodh Singh at Curtin University.

Gendered housing opportunities, pathways, assistance and impacts
This project will develop a framework for assessing the gendered nature of housing. Led by Professor Wendy Stone at Swinburne University.

Measuring housing affordability: scoping the real costs of housing
This scoping project will examine the housing-related factors impacting on household expenditure and wellbeing, including energy and transport costs. Led by Dr Adam Crowe Curtin University.

You can find out more about each of the new projects by clicking on the titles above of visiting the 2022 NHRP page.