On 21 and 22 June, a spectrum of housing stakeholders gathered in Sydney for the National Affordable Housing Conference. The very full two days explored a wide range of housing issues – future challenges and opportunities. While housing finance deservedly received a lot of attention, the role of planning systems in affordable housing and the issue of sustainability were two other highlights.

Christine Whitehead presented a keynote address and several sessions on how the planning system in the UK is used to deliver affordable housing outcomes. Land use planning is one of 3 main mechanisms to increase the role of the private sector in affordable housing in the UK. They’ve achieved growth of 20,000 new dwellings per annum – about 50% of all new affordable housing. The possibilities are quite inspiring and could encourage jurisdictions to implement similar mechanisms.

Visit www.jrf.org.uk for more on planning in the UK

Marcus Spiller, National President of the Planning Institute of Australia, presented in a session on planning policy and participated in the panel discussion on the future of affordable housing. Marcus suggested that land use planning tools can be important pieces of the ongoing pursuit of affordable housing. He highlighted the importance of taking on board a sustainability framework to support the provision of affordable housing as part of a broader program for sustainable cities.

There were many more exciting ideas and presentations at the conference, visit the website to download a selection of presentations and conference notes: www.housing.nsw.gov.au/nahc

The ABS recently released its 2005 report on Australian Social Trends. A number of the articles are relevant to the future of community housing. The report documents diminishing CSHA funds through the significant decrease in construction of public housing dwellings – down by 66% from 1994 and the decreasing proportion of public tenancies.

Meanwhile private housing costs continue to increase. From 1994 prices, private rental costs have increased by 34%; for first home buyers, the average loan size more than doubled in the same period.

Economic and job figures feature largely in the report as well. The increased casualisation of the labour force and high rates of transition in work status for young people are a few of the issues that may affect rates of housing stress in the future. The report also discusses building and housing finance trends.

Visit ABS for the free publication: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/...