Measuring existing demand for social housing in Australia

Abstract

This Discussion Paper, based on its findings, outlines 6 important policy proposals.
It considers current measurement activity that is measuring current demand.
Measures of existing demand are calculated by estimating the number of households in Australia who meet current eligibility requirements in the state or territory in which they live.
These calculations are based on household income data sourced from the 2016 census which has been indexed by the consumer price index (CPI).
The findings demonstrate that current waiting lists are not an accurate record of the true level of social housing need, and that if every household which met the current eligibility
requirements in their state or territory decided to apply, waiting lists across the country would increase by more than 300%.
The coming wave of automation and digital disruption is also likely to significantly add to social housing demand by eroding the wages of affected workers. Experts predict it will be low-income workers who are most affected during the initial phase of this fourth industrial revolution. Structural dislocations in the economy often leave affected workers struggling to re-enter the workforce.
As many as 20% remain out of work three years later.
Those that do re-enter the workforce generally experience wage declines of between 10-20% compared to prior earnings.