Mini-home building boom might be ready to splinter
Fresh data points to a rise in home-building, an uptick in housing lending and recovering property prices - but storm clouds are gathering.
housing and urban planning
Fresh support for Porter Davis customers who missed out
The Victorian government has extended its support scheme for Porter Davis customers who were left out of pocket when the company went into liquidation.
Staff pulled from Sydney’s strategic planning agencies
NSW's primary planning agency, the Greater Cities Commission, has been gutted of staff, but one think tank reckons there's clear logic to the decision.
Porter Davis creditor talks fail to answer debt queries
Representatives of hundreds of creditors owed millions of dollars by builder Porter Davis have met liquidators for an update on getting their money back.
Rent freezes and rent caps will only worsen, not solve Australia’s rental crisis
Australia used rent controls effectively during the two world wars. However, they have been used in other countries without much success. Using basic economic principles, there is evidence freezes worsen inequality and actually reduce availability.
Promise for renters’ rights to be on national agenda
As national cabinet prepares to consider how to improve renters' rights, the federal government has ruled out price caps after its housing fund was deferred.
Housing bill on ice puts double dissolution in play
The Albanese government's signature housing policy has failed to pass parliament and could set the stage for an early election.
Council wheels out tiny homes to tackle housing crisis
A council's move to soften restrictions on caravans and tiny houses could ease the housing crisis and offer fertile ground for new industry, an expert says.
‘Juvenile’: PM seeks advice as housing policy stalls
The prime minister says the government is seeking advice on the triggers required for a double dissolution after the Greens delayed a key housing bill.
‘Axis of evil’: Housing bill delayed amid fiery debate
Debate on the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has been pushed back until October in a major blow to the government.
Labor pledges $2b extra housing support as bill stalls
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese upped the ante on public housing spending, announcing a $2 billion fund as the Greens block a key election promise.
Labor details state breakdown of its housing fund pie
The federal government has revealed how it will distribute its $2 billion Social Housing Fund Accelerator payment to Australia's states and territories.
South Australian pet owners set for rental rights boost
The South Australian government has unveiled rental reforms to ban landlords from unreasonably refusing a tenant's request to keep a pet.
New builders found as Porter Davis collapse laid bare
Liquidators for collapsed company Porter Davis say the builder may have been trading while insolvent, as new builders are found to quote for unfinished homes.
Flood-devastated homes miss out on buyback: advocates
A Lismore community group has criticised the time government has taken to release the maps that effectively ruled homes in or out of help for flood assistance.
Qld budget to fund 500 social homes by mid-2025
Queensland's budget will include over $320 million for social homes with the government saying it's "pulling every lever" to address the housing shortage.
Insurance issue flagged before Porter Davis collapse
A Victorian working group identified a number of short-term measures to fix the construction industry months before Porter Davis went into liquidation.
Queensland emergency housing gets major funding boost
The Queensland government will spend an extra $64 million to find more homes for vulnerable people in inner-city Brisbane.
Greens offer compromise on social housing proposal
The Greens will hold firm on their demands for a two-year rent freeze in exchange for their support for the government's landmark social housing proposal.
Report pushes case for higher Sydney housing density
The NSW productivity commission's latest report suggests building higher and more densely in Sydney's inner suburbs, including along public transport lines.
Tenants win in revamp but no-grounds evictions remain
West Australian renters will be given greater freedom to keep pets and modify their homes but the state government has stopped short of changing eviction laws.
New housing minister promises swift action on shortage
Queensland's new housing minister has vowed to act quickly on the shortage of affordable accommodation as she faced renewed calls to use a quarantine facility.
Greens ‘failing the public’ on housing fund: Albanese
The prime minister has accused the Greens of hypocrisy as negotiations continue on the $10 billion housing future fund.
Greens can’t have it both ways over housing, says PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Greens are opposing new housing developments, while calling for more properties to be built.
Push to turn COVID facility into homeless shelter
Brisbane's Lord Mayor has pledged $1 million to turn a former COVID-19 quarantine facility into emergency housing.
Emotional plea to pass social, affordable housing fund
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was on the verge of tears as she implored her colleagues to vote for a housing fund to tackle affordability.
Pressure builds on Greens to back $10b housing fund
The Greens have been urged to support the government's $10 billion housing fund, which guarantees 1200 affordable and social homes to each state and territory.
Extra homes could be built through tax rate cut
Plans to cut the tax rate for build-to-rent dwellings is among a suite of measures announced to tackle Australia's housing affordability crisis.
National cabinet leaders agree on economic reforms
State and territory leaders have agreed on changes to health systems, the NDIS and other areas at the latest national cabinet meeting.
Rental crisis opens door for Greens in inner-city seats
The Greens will use rental increases and housing crisis to target inner city seats after the party's vote went up at the 2022 election, leader Adam Bandt says.
Bleak picture of Australia’s rental crisis laid bare
Australian leaders are under pressure to do something about the national rental crisis after two reports noted a widespread lack of affordability and supply.