Housing Affordability and Planning in Australia: The Challenge of Policy Under Neo-liberalism

Housing Affordability and Planning in Australia: The Challenge of Policy Under Neo-liberalism

Title	Housing Affordability and Planning in Australia: The Challenge of Policy Under Neo-liberalism
Authors/Contributors	Beer, Andrew (Author) Kearins, Bridget (Author) Pieters, Hans (Author)
Publication Title	Housing Studies
Date	2007-01-01
Abstract Note	Housing affordability has once again appeared on the policy agenda of Australian governments. House prices have risen in response to booming demand and constraints on the supply of dwellings, especially a shortage of land in the capital cities and skill shortages within the housing industry. Many young and low-income households have experienced great difficulty in gaining access to homeownership and in being able to afford private rental housing. This paper briefly considers the characteristics of public debate around housing affordability in Australia. It examines the role of neo-liberalism in shaping policy responses to housing affordability problems and assesses the argument that affordability goals can be achieved through manipulation of the planning system. It contends that neo-liberal philosophies of government direct policy action to the planning system, but such strategies have a limited capacity to improve housing affordability. Australian governments need to adopt more effective housing policies if they are to meet the needs of the 700 000 to 1 million households who live in unaffordable housing.
Resource Type	Journal Article
URL	https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030601024572
DOI	10.1080/02673030601024572
Citation	Beer, A., Kearins, B., & Pieters, H. (2007). Housing Affordability and Planning in Australia: The Challenge of Policy Under Neo-liberalism. Housing Studies, 22(1), 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030601024572
Link to this record	http://ikbe-library.unimelb.edu.au/bibliography/2GZPUASL/

Title

Authors/Contributors

Beer, Andrew (Author)

Kearins, Bridget (Author)

Pieters, Hans (Author)

Publication Title

Housing Studies

Date

2007-01-01

Abstract Note

Housing affordability has once again appeared on the policy agenda of Australian governments. House prices have risen in response to booming demand and constraints on the supply of dwellings, especially a shortage of land in the capital cities and skill shortages within the housing industry. Many young and low-income households have experienced great difficulty in gaining access to homeownership and in being able to afford private rental housing. This paper briefly considers the characteristics of public debate around housing affordability in Australia. It examines the role of neo-liberalism in shaping policy responses to housing affordability problems and assesses the argument that affordability goals can be achieved through manipulation of the planning system. It contends that neo-liberal philosophies of government direct policy action to the planning system, but such strategies have a limited capacity to improve housing affordability. Australian governments need to adopt more effective housing policies if they are to meet the needs of the 700 000 to 1 million households who live in unaffordable housing.

Resource Type

Journal Article

URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030601024572

DOI

10.1080/02673030601024572

Citation

Beer, A., Kearins, B., & Pieters, H. (2007). Housing Affordability and Planning in Australia: The Challenge of Policy Under Neo-liberalism. Housing Studies, 22(1), 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030601024572

Link to this record

http://ikbe-library.unimelb.edu.au/bibliography/2GZPUASL/