Property developers are benefitting from eased planning rules targeting 'affordable' housing
Australian government initiatives to increase affordable housing are being criticized for potentially benefiting property developers more than tenants. Critics argue that the current model fails to provide long-term affordability and allows developers to prioritize luxury projects.
Why it matters
The effectiveness of government housing subsidies is a central issue in the ongoing cost-of-living and rental crisis in Australia.
Across Australia, governments are racing to increase affordable housing stock. ( Four Corners )
Australians are being priced out of the rental market, and politicians are turning to property developers to be part of the solution.
Government schemes aimed at providing cheaper rentals are speeding up developments, but often these "affordable homes" are temporary and sometimes not built at all.
Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil defended the government's affordable housing measures, but welcomed a debate about price setting for discounted homes.
Link copied Share Share article Australia is trying to build its way out of a rental crisis, but developers, not tenants, could be emerging as the ultimate winners.
In the race to boost affordable housing supply, governments are rewriting planning rules and handing out billions of taxpayer dollars in subsidies to property developers working with community housing providers.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in