Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Australia’s housing crisis: it’s one of the most unaffordable in the world, so how is the Coalition going to fix it?
Jessica Sier The Guardian (No paywall)With many Australians locked out of the housing market or staring down the barrel of a 40-year, million-dollar-plus mortgage, the federal government has proposed a raft of policies aimed at addressing housing affordability in Tuesday’s federal budget. But whether they will help bring ownership within reach of more people is unclear, especially since housing supply and zoning powers lie with the state governments. Also, check out another story in 'The Guardian' at: [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/10/federal-budget-2021-what-to-expect-aged-care-women-infrastructure].
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/11/australia…
# Australia, Federal Government, Home ownership, Homelessness, Housing affordability, Housing market, Tax.What measures can be used to keep rents in check?
(No paywall)Rents are rising in all major European cities. Politicians are trying to counteract this in order to keep housing affordable. Which regulations are promising? (International Union of Tenants News) This article is in German.
https://www.iut.nu/news-events/what-measures-can-be-used-to-keep…
# Must read International, Rent, Housing affordability, Housing market, International.Tiny homes idea for Byron Bay rail corridor to address housing crisis
Bruce MacKenzie ABC (No paywall)Byron Shire Council is exploring the possibility of putting hundreds of temporary tiny homes in the shire's rail corridor. The Housing for Locals project is part of a strategy proposed by Acting Mayor Michael Lyon.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/byron-rail-housing-plan-t…
# NSW, Affordable housing, Housing affordability, Housing market, Regional NSW, State Government, Women.HomeBuilder and New Home Guarantee extended, 2 per cent deposit Family Home Guarantee introduced in 2021-22 federal budget
Kelsie Iorio ABC (No paywall)The 2021-22 Federal Budget commits to "supporting construction jobs and home ownership" and the budget details multiple grants and schemes aimed at "helping more Australians realise their goal of home ownership", but each of those measures comes with strict eligibility criteria and significant, long-term financial commitments.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-12/federal-budget-housing-af…
# Australia, Affordable housing, Federal Government, Home ownership.Billions flow into struggling aged care homes awaiting major law reforms
Rachel Clun The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)A complete overhaul of Australia’s troubled aged care system will be delivered within two years as the federal government responded to the aged care royal commission by immediately pumping billions of dollars into struggling providers. Under sweeping changes to be introduced by the government, people will be able to choose aged care homes based on star ratings, there will be mandatory minimum minutes for care workers and nurses to spend with residents each day, and the workforce will be ramped up to meet growing demand.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/billions-flow-into-strug…
# Australia, Federal Government, Health, Housing market, Older people.Federal budget 2021: Help for first-home owners welcome, but missed chance to do more
Elizabeth Redman Domain (No paywall)Help with reaching home ownership is always welcome, but the last two budgets have proved a missed opportunity to do more. ... But if this budget and the previous one — delivered as the second coronavirus wave was subsiding — are not the time for a big boost to spending on social housing, then when?
https://www.domain.com.au/news/federal-budget-2021-help-for-firs…
# Australia, Public and community housing, Affordable housing, Federal Government, Home ownership, Homelessness.Single mum living with her 10 kids in mould-ridden council house due to shortage of homes
Catherine Mackinlay and Matthew Dresch (No paywall)A single mum says she has been forced to live in a freezing, mould-ridden home with her 10 children after her local council told her she could not be re-housed. Lisa Clarke, from Blackpool, cannot move out of the property because the local authority says it has a shortage of large council houses. (Mirror)
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/single-mum-10-cant-leave-2…
# International, Public and community housing, Repairs, Health, Housing market, Mould, Personal stories.What's in the budget? Here are the key measures we already know about
Gareth Hutchens ABC (No paywall)Here are the major policies that have already been flagged ahead of the Treasurer's budget speech tonight. Check out section called 'Housing policy'. Also, check out the story in 'The Sydney Morning Herald' at: [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/budget-2021-what-we-already-know-20210510-p57qdw.html].
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/budget-measures-we-alread…
# Australia, Federal Government, Home ownership, Housing market, Welfare.