Evaluating social and affordable housing reform in Australia: lessons to be learned from history

Abstract

Significant changes were introduced to the finance of social and affordable rental housing in Australia from 2007. These aimed to restructure social housing provision and encourage an increase in the supply of affordable housing. This paper evaluates these changes in light of experience with the provision of social housing in Australia over a 50-year period. It suggests that lessons from history explain why, without additional support, current changes are unlikely to be successful in meeting their intended goals.