New ABS Data Reveals State Of Housing Is Worsening

RMIT

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released new data this week, which reveals the state of housing in Australia.

This includes the monthly CPI indicator – with housing a significant contributor to the 3.6% rise – and a fall in April dwellings approvals.

Dr Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer in the School of Property, Construction and Project Management

“The federal government and various state governments have made ‘ambitious’ housing policy announcements in recent years. These have been to address issues such as housing affordability and supply.

“While commendable objectives, these policies have been heavily criticised for lacking detail and sufficient supporting resources.

“The latest ABS data confirms this criticism. The data shows that housing policies are failing to shift outcomes.

“The continued decline of new housing approvals and increasing cost of housing is an ongoing concern across Australia.

“If these trends continue it will further entrench housing affordability and access issues for households, as well as put more pressure on the construction sector to find solutions.

“Unfortunately, we will need to see stronger and clearer leadership in this space not only from policy makers but across the industry.

“It is clear that current policies to address housing issues are failing and we need to rethink how to change outcomes.

“We know that other regions of the world have been facing similar issues and we can look to see what works elsewhere, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

Dr Trivess Moore’s research focuses on the technical, social and policy aspects of how households and the housing sector will transition to a low carbon future. His book, A Transition to Sustainable Housing, explores the need to rethink the way we plan, design, construct, use and retrofit housing.

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/RMIT University News Release. View in full here.