Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into Social Housing

As the independent national research institute dedicated to housing, homelessness and urban policy, AHURI welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into Social Housing.

With our university partners, AHURI has undertaken extensive research on social housing policy, practices, and outcomes. We have also provided independent evaluations and assessments of social housing policies, projects, and programs through our Advisory team, giving us deep practical insight into the frontline implications of policy settings.

Our submission draws on this research and practice knowledge to respond to the Inquiry’s terms of reference:

1. the economic and social benefits of investment in social housing, including its impact on housing access, affordability, renting, homelessness and housing security;
2. historical levels of investment in social housing, and public housing in particular, including the reasons for its decline as a share of Australia's housing stock;
3. the case for establishing a target for social housing as a proportion of Australia's housing stock, including consideration of what an appropriate target may be;
4. the impact of current Commonwealth and state and territory government investment in social housing, including through the Housing Australia Future Fund and the Social Housing Accelerator, in view of the current scale of need;
5. the role of modern methods of design and construction in building more social homes and creating communities with a high quality of life;
6. the benefits of a steady pipeline of social housing investment for the development of Australia's modern construction industry;
7. opportunities for further investment in public and community housing, including consideration of direct public spending along with different delivery and investment models in Australia and internationally;
8. appropriate governance and administrative arrangements to deliver social housing at a scale to meet current and future need;
9. the efficacy of rent to buy schemes; and
10. any other related matters