Housing Policy in Australia: A Case for System Reform

by Hal Pawson, Vivienne Milligan, Judith Yates

Overview

This book, the first comprehensive overview of housing policy in Australia in 25 years, investigates the many dimensions of housing affordability and government actions that affect affordability outcomes. It analyses the causes and implications of declining home ownership, rising rates of rental stress and the neglect of social housing, as well as the housing situation of Indigenous Australians. The book covers a period where housing policy primarily operated under a neo-liberal paradigm dominated by financial de-regulation and fiscal austerity. It critiques the broad and fragmented range of government measures that have influenced housing outcomes over this period. These include regulation, planning and tax policies as well as explicit housing programs. The book also identifies current and future housing challenges for Australian governments, recognizing these as a complex set of inter-connected problems. Drawing on its coverage of the economics, politics and administrationof housing provision, the book sets out priorities for the transformational national strategy needed for a fairer and more productive housing system, and to improve affordability outcomes for the most vulnerable Australians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789811507809
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date:	12/14/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Hal Pawson is Professor of Housing Research and Policy, University of New South Wales Sydney, and an Associate Director of UNSW's City Futures Research Centre. Renowned as a housing researcher both in Australia and the UK, he is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, and a Managing Editor of the international journal, Housing Studies.

Vivienne Milligan is an Honorary Professor, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia.  She has had a distinguished career, spanning nearly 40 years, as both a policymaker and a researcher specialising in social and affordable housing. She has a Doctorate in Geographical Studies from Utrecht University and is a life member of the Australasian Housing Institute.

Judith Yates currently is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Economics at the University of Sydney following a career of over 40 years in academia. Her primary research has been in housing economics, finance and policy. She holds a Doctor of Economic Science from the University of Amsterdam.

Table of Contents

Introduction.- Why governments intervene in housing.- Unpacking Australia’s housing affordability problem.- Social housing in Australia: Evolution, legacy and contemporary policy debates.- Home ownership and the role of government.- Private rental housing: Market roles, taxation and regulation.- The Indigenous housing policy challenge.- Financing and governing affordable rental housing.- Roles of land use planning policy in housing supply and affordable housing.- Housing policy in Australia: A reform agenda.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Pawson, Milligan and Yates carefully document compelling evidence on housing need and affordability to provide a contemporary and robust analysis of the when, where, how and why of housing problems in Australia. Moreover, the authors provide the policy solutions and actions to be taken by Federal, State and local governments, as well as the development, finance and property management industries.” (Ian Winter, Housing consultant, and Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute 2000-17)

“Housing Policy in Australia superbly harnesses international evidence and more than two decades of experience to not only analyse but also provide potential solutions to the current housing policy impasse. The book’s comprehensive canvassing of housing system diversity – tenures, social differentiation, historical trends – will become necessary reading for housing practitioners and students. The ambitious reform agenda proposed by the book deserves to be carefully digested andimplemented by professionals working across the housing sector.” (Robyn Dowling, Professor of Planning and Dean of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney)

“In this important book, three leading Australian scholars combine their respective and collective research and deep, industry-engaged policy expertise to explain how and why the bipartisan post-war commitment to secure, affordable housing as a fundamental platform for social and economic participation, has collapsed. They present a searing indictment of the very real and profound consequences of three lost decades of housing policy reform for all Australians, not only the most vulnerable. This volume is an exemplar not only for housing and urban studies, but for policy studies more broadly.” (Anne Tiernan, Professor of Politics and Public Policy and Dean (Engagement), Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Australia)

Editorial Reviews

It is a concise resource for politicians, policy makers and advocates interested in addressing affordability and access concerns, and an essential guide for students of Australian urban and housing policy studies. … This new book on Australian housing policy concisely brings a selection of Australia’s research effort and experience to a wider audience, but it does more than this too. It outlines an agenda for reform.” (Julie Lawson, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, November 28, 2020)

“Housing Policy in Australia has already become the standard text on the topic. The book is comprehensive, incisive, and lucid. It will be required reading for students, practitioners, and policy makers. … as essential as the book is for students of Australian housing policy, its international comparative perspective makes it an important resource for housing studies throughoutthe ‘developed’ world. Nearly every chapter situates Australia’s housing problems and housing policies within an international context, comparing Australia to other countries in Europe and North America.” (Alex Schwartz, Housing Studies, September 2, 2020)

“This includes a near-comprehensive explanation of why housing is so unaffordable and what governments can do about it. … the text is easy to read with its clear writing style, a balance of views and strong Organisation of the material. … This book is essential reading for anyone who wants the necessary knowledge and guidance to change that unnecessary fact.” (Ryan Harris, Shelter NSW eBulletin, February 21, 2020)

From the Publisher