Housing affordability needs to be front and centre this election

With federal election campaigning underway, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) is jumping on the bandwagon to ensure that all sides of politics have a clear plan on how to help all Australians have safe and secure housing.

HIA managing director Graham Wolfe said the HIA has long argued that getting people into their own home is one of the best things a government can do for the national economy.

“It provides financial security for individuals at the same time as providing a positive trickle on effect into the wider Australian economy,” Mr Wolfe said.

Recent research commissioned by HIA on home ownership has once again confirmed that Australians aspire to own their own home, however many are pessimistic about whether that dream can be achieved.

The research also found that voters in this election put home ownership amongst their top three priorities, after cost of living and health, but before other priorities like education, population growth and infrastructure.

Mr Wolfe said this shows clearly that home ownership still matters and the HIA is keen to hear what policies each party plans to adopt to address this key issue.

HIA’s federal election imperatives 2022 address nine key areas that impact housing supply, land supply, social and community housing, rental housing, population and immigration, taxation, skills and business red tape.

The HIA says that their imperatives are cost effective, efficient measures that seek to bring about real change in the home building sector and hopefully increase supply, which is key to making housing more affordable.

“The solution to Australia’s housing shortage will not come from one place or from one level of government, but it is clear that a future federal government can make a real difference in the rate of home ownership,” Mr Wolfe explained.

“HIA urges each candidate to take the time to consider how they can make a difference by improving the housing opportunities for all Australians and ensure that we continue to be a country where home ownership matters.”