Forgotten Aussies hit hardest by housing crisis

As all levels of government attempt to ease the housing crisis, these Aussies are being left behind.

Policy makers have struggled for decades to find solutions to the housing challenges across rural and regional Australia, with the onset of Covid amplifying issues.

While recent research has found the pandemic impacts have eased, some issues have remained.

The housing market challenges of the bush include low affordability; underdeveloped supply chains; the shortage of labour; increased demand for housing in some localities, especially for short-term rental accommodation, while other centres are in decline.

Over the past few decades federal, state and local governments have not developed substantial policies to address the needs, nor have they invested substantially in social housing provision, according to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute research.

“Many of the factors often considered to be a barrier to new housing supply – such as planning permission – are not considered significant impediments in most regional housing markets,” the report headed by academic Professor Andrew Beer said.

A ‘one size fits all’ approach won’t solve Australia’s housing issues. Picture: Getty

“It is clear that the greatest impediments to new housing supply outside the metropolitan regions are shortages of land for development and, most especially, workforce shortages.”

The report noted rural and regional housing markets hit by more adverse conditions than those in metropolitan areas because of their smaller scale, their difficulties in sourcing local labour, the limited number of builders and additional costs associated with distance. Some 25 per cent of Australians live outside the nation’s capitals.

But the division of housing responsibilities within the three tiers of government had generated significant challenges for the development of effective policies, the report noted.

There are small scale programs specifically targeted to their needs and the recently commenced Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) has the potential to deliver social and affordable homes, although there are concerns that no target had been set for funding to go to regional Australia.

Labour shortages are a major issue for regional Australia.

Housing will certainly again be a topic when the sixth annual News Corp Australia National Bush Summit gets underway next month.

The week-long event will be held in every state bringing together decision-makers and community leaders kicking off in Townsville on August 23, then Bendigo, Launceston, McLaren Vale in SA, and Orange in NSW and Port Hedland in WA.

“One size fits all solutions won’t work for regional housing,” Beer advised.

“The most pressing need is for the creation of an institutional architecture that would include local housing providers, construction-related training providers and enhanced supply chains.”

The report concluded that to overcome the shortage of labour, a guaranteed program of investment in new builds may be needed.

“Without intervention, housing in these communities will not keep pace with demand, placing further pressure on metropolitan housing markets,” it warned.

Originally published as Forgotten Aussies hit hardest by housing crisis