Changes in the supply of and need for low rent dwellings in the private rental market

A projected increase of 115% from 2001-2026 in the number of lower-income people aged 65 and over living in rental households far exceeds the supply capacity of the social housing system. A new governance approach drawing together the resources of the public, community and market sectors is required to ensure satisfactory housing outcomes for older, lower-income renters. In this interdisciplinary study, Andrew Jones, Martin Bell, Cheryl Tilse and George Earl scope the policy issues, clarify policy choices and develop a programme of research in the provision of good quality, affordable rental housing for older Australians who are not home owners.

Rental housing provision for lower-income older Australians: final report

This article provides new evidence on the supply of private rental dwellings affordable for low income households in Australia in 1996 and 2001 and on shortages or surpluses of affordable dwellings in each period. The results indicate a decline in the supply of low rent dwellings between 1996 and 2001 and a resultant shortage of dwellings affordable for low income households in 2001. However, the size of the low rent supply is only the first affordability hurdle for low income households because much of the low rent stock was occupied by higher income households. Employed higher income young families compete with low income older single persons for access to the low rent stock. Once stock utilisation is taken into account, the shortage of dwellings affordable and available for low income households is increased. Moreover, an apparent surplus of dwellings affordable for low to moderate income households is converted to a significant shortage. The article concludes by raising concerns about the shift to pol...

Market Provision of Affordable Rental Housing: Lessons from Recent Trends in Australia

This study being conducted by the AHURI Queensland Research Centre is concerned with the 'housing pathways', earnings patterns, and 'life circumstances' of income support recipients The research is based on analysis of longitudinal income support data from the Australian Government The four main themes for the research concern: The housing arrangements and circumstances of income support recipients over time The relationships between changes in tenure and changes in incomes for these households or individuals; The relationship between changes in tenure and other changes in the characteristics or circumstances of income support recipients; and How the relationships and arrangements between housing and other factors vary by discrete groups of income support recipients

https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:164377/AHURI.pdf

Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time

This report focuses on risk-assessment practices in the private rental market, with particular consideration of their impact on low-income renters. It is based on the fieldwork undertaken in the second stage of the research process that followed completion of the Positioning Paper. The key research question this study addressed was: What are the various factors included in ‘risk-assessments’ by real estate agents in allocating ‘affordable’ tenancies? How are these risks quantified and managed? What are the key outcomes of their decision-making?

Risk-assessment practices in the private rental sector: Implications for low-income renters. Final Report

Tenant lists, tenant risks: rental databases and housing policy in Australia. [Special edition - Residential Tenancies. Australasian Conference of Tenancy Tribunals and Associated Bodies (4th: 2001: Adelaide).]

Tim Seelig

Papers

Tenant lists, tenant risks: rental databases and housing policy in Australia. [Special edition - Residential Tenancies. Australasian Conference of Tenancy Tribunals and Associated Bodies (4th: 2001: Adelaide).]