Our government should address big issues for our community. Why can the government not solve housing issues? Housing has been at the top of our community concerns for many years. Some reports from 20 years ago highlighted that “housing affordability” was a top three concern across Australia. Government cannot solve housing for 1 primary reason.
Imagination!
This is not meant as a criticism of any of the well-intentioned people we have met in politics. We have found that most individuals who have entered Australian politics have done so with the intention of serving our community. It seems to us that most politicians enter politics for the right reasons. Yet the fact remains that the government cannot solve housing.
If they have good intentions, surely they can make the necessary changes?
Well, the evidence is stark and quite contrary to this ideal scenario. We can and should review several Government programs to address housing issues. Any significant review will document very high public costs (these are our taxes here) being invested in any number of well-meaning projects.
Federally
To start with, let’s have a look at some of the higher-profile Federal programs: –
- First Home Buyers Scheme
- The Territory’s intervention in aboriginal housing
- Defence housing program
- National Housing Rental Affordability Scheme
In each of these programs, nobody will claim that they have made a tangible difference to the problem that they were tasked to address. In many instances, the actual deliverables are very small fractions of the stated goals, and after some years, these programs are renamed, shelved, or dropped from the political discussion.
Some excellent references are available (see our reference page here). A standout federally produced website that is infinitely useful is the Housing Data—Australian Federal Government. This website is great for geeks and academics to research issues.
State Housing Programs
We all know that the state governments do the work, so perhaps there are more successful programs there: –
- Department of Housing head lease program 55 million
- Vacant property back into the market nope, we will hold that for some potential future use
In the past, we have discussed a state asset that was a “vacant” house. When identified to the particular department, the property agreed that “yep, that is vacant.” Then, unbelievably, they bulldozed the house (in 2021) to make way for overflow car parking that this department required for the adjacent train station.
Local Government Housing Programs
Well, these guys are direct and immediate. Surely they can do more than roads, rates, and rubbish? Well, actually, nope. The silence from local councils is deafening.
Where are the local councilors talking about the housing issues in the current local council election campaigns?
They can see the people sleeping in their cars in the local park and under the bridges even when we discuss the specific challenges these communities face, population loss to the prominent metro locations, and inability to attract additional essential workforce. The local councils are paralyzed, hoping big corporations, private investment, or someone else will ride into the local community and address the housing crisis! We have reviewed many local council housing action plans, which are embarrassing in their lack of understanding of any deliverable projects. Again, it isn’t the individual humans involved. It is the whole system of local government.
Some examples of the local council action plans just make media statements but have little substance.
Signed off by people in positions to do something …..
Lets drill down into one such example for a bit of understanding….
Rail yards, affordable housing. Is land contamination now cured by injecting a low socioeconomic cohort into this parcel of land?
The land remediation would be quite different if it were for an expensive 5-star resort on the river overlooking the CBD and within walking distance of the entertainment precinct.
As all governments have become paralyzed and risk-averse
To make an omelet, you have to break some eggs. Our systems of government are now only self-perpetuating and unable to take on new content. Perhaps there is a discussion around our governments and whether or not they are still fit for purpose. Given the age of some of our governance fundamentals, the Westminster system, etc., as a community, we might have moved well past these outdated paradigms.
Since we federated and separated from Britain in 1901, what of these old systems still remain? This was a time before the advent of the motor vehicle and powered flight!
Ken Henry: We are breaking the ‘golden rule’ of economic policy
Ken Henry is an economic expert who has spent decades studying our great economy. Instead of finding the modern electric car with advanced manufacturing and technology skills, he is looking at the iconic Australian Camira—a car so rare that none exist today, not even those handful of examples that fall under the category of “collectors” cars.
His 8-minute interview on ABC Radio on 9th April 2024 is compelling and disturbing. Here it is
Ok, so it’s not a Government quick fix!
Then who else? Private enterprise in our current housing marketplace? Ummm, no. Social housing? Still no…. My family? Great if they can, but this is becoming a solution for fewer and fewer of us. Then who…..
Individual agency: You have the power to make change
At first glance, everything you hear and see will tell you that it is nonsense.
Over the weekend, your well-meaning “Uncle Bruce” will tell you that the housing process is clear-cut and straightforward. Work hard, save your deposit, and apply for a loan…..
For many of us this advice from Uncle Bruce is just nonsense.
The average house across Australia is now approaching the 1 million price point. The chief executive of ANZ is reporting to his shareholders that “the average Australian cannot afford the average home,” which is a significant problem for him as he realizes that his customer base is shrinking. It is also quite uncomfortable for the rest of us trying to wrangle a home in the current dog-eat-dog marketplace.
Hang in there and come on a journey to explore what this means. With some simple caveats, almost anyone can find a great, enduring home.
1. You can make agreements and keep these agreements
2. You have an intention to follow our process
We will coach those willing to do the work. Our process means thinking, testing, and researching within the framework provided by People Purpose Place. We have found that after decades of this issue continuing to worsen, the government cannot solve housing, but you can.
As you next step check out our START HERE page
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