The lack of housing in our regional and rural areas should command more attention from policy makers as the flow-on effects are stymieing the economic room of growth and development that is regional Australia.
This issue of Parity, looking at the role of community housing in responding to homelessness and housing stress in regional, rural and remote Australia, speaks to the unique challenges faced by the seven million people living outside of our major capital cities.
Whilst we appreciate the need for negotiations to achieve greater outcomes and impact, it shouldn’t come at the cost of building a pipeline of supply. Delays in decision making are delays in getting funding and programs out the door.
As the market has continued to grow and price people out, it’s really important that we have appropriate housing in locations where people need them, that is also affordable in terms of their design and perpetuity of that affordability.
The latest census data shows the lack of investment in social and affordable housing has left Victoria in a state of peril.