Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
New affordable housing levy in Victoria is limited to multiple dwellings but still developers are not happy
Rose Mary Petrass The Fifth Estate (No paywall)The Victorian government’s plans for a long term funding mechanism to support social and affordable housing has been slammed from the predictable quarters. The plans, under proposed amendments to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 are for some new developments to make a of 1.75 per cent of the market value of: new developments of three or more dwellings; or the subdivision of land that results in three or more new residential lots. The proposed legislative reform will contribute to new social and affordable housing development across Metropolitan Melbourne, Greater Geelong, Ballarat and Greater Bendigo, the government said. ... The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) welcomed the reform. “This a momentous moment for housing policy in Victoria, which will create a sustainable funding mechanism to help house people on very low to moderate incomes across the state”, said PIA Victoria president Gabby McMillan. Social and affordable housing will ensure that people are housed, but also fuels the construction industry and therefore increases access to work and the labour pool.... However, the levy is being criticised by the building and property sectors.
https://thefifthestate.com.au/innovation/residential-2/new-affor…
# Australia, Public and community housing, Anti-social behaviour, Landlords and agents, Tax.Real estate agents caught voting for foreign landlords
Judy Skatssoon (No paywall)Twenty real estate agents have been slapped on the wrist after Victoria’s local government watchdog found they illegally voted in a Melbourne City Council election on behalf of overseas property owners. ... The Local Government Inspectorate looked at 216 ballot papers completed by representatives from 21 real estate agencies and submitted during the 2020 Melbourne City Council election. “During our investigation, 20 agents from 18 of the agencies admitted completing the ballot papers on behalf of landlords whose properties they manage,” the inspectorate said in a statement. This was despite the inspectorate working with Council to contact real estate agencies before the 2020 election to inform them they couldn’t vote on behalf of an owner.
https://www.governmentnews.com.au/real-estate-agents-voted-illeg…
# Australia, Rent, Landlords and agents.The Forgotten Answer to the Affordable Housing Crisis
Cole Sinanian (No paywall)From United States ... C Street Co-op was developed by Eugene architecture firm Cultivate Inc., and by local nonprofit affordable housing developer Square One Villages. Its subsidized funding and communal ownership structure makes it affordable to people making below-average income who otherwise couldn’t afford to live in a desirable neighborhood like C Street’s. And by giving residents partial ownership of the property, they can tap into its appreciation value, meaning they can sell their unit for more than they bought it for when they decide to move out. (Eugene Weekly)
https://eugeneweekly.com/2022/02/03/the-forgotten-answer-to-the-…
# International, Public and community housing, Home ownership, Housing affordability, Housing market.One in three renters lose their bond, but some are fighting back
Henrietta Cook The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)One in three renters lost all or part of their bond last year, with legal and tenants groups warning that the situation is leaving many Victorians struggling to pay rent and basic living expenses at their next home. ... Renters and Housing Union secretary Eirene Tsolidis-Noyce said it was “unacceptable” that real estate agents were routinely keeping renters’ bonds. “Recent reports show the average cost for moving house is $4000, and renters have every right to have their bond returned when they decide they want to move,” she said.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/one-in-three-renters-lo…
# TUNSW in the media Australia, Bond, Rent.This graph shows why it’s so hard to save a house deposit
Kate Burke Domain (No paywall)Australian home values rose almost 10 times faster than wages last year, with the market boom pushing the dream of homeownership further out of reach for more Australians.
https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/this-graph-shows-why-it-s-s…
# Australia, Housing affordability, Housing market, Work, employment.‘It hurts’: Homebuyers already paying hundreds per month extra for the average house
Melissa Heagney and Kate Burke Domain (No paywall)The cost of a typical house has risen by hundreds of dollars a month for someone buying now compared with those who bought a year ago, as property prices rise and banks lift mortgage rates. An average new borrower’s regular repayments are as much as $1359 a month higher than if they bought a year ago despite no official interest rate hike, due to a skyrocketing property market and an increase in fixed mortgage rates by major lenders.
https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/it-hurts-homebuyers-already…
# Australia, Home ownership, Housing affordability, Housing market.How will Australia's property markets be impacted by the return of overseas arrivals?
Gareth Hutchens ABC (No paywall)As Australia's borders reopen, the return of overseas arrivals and subsequent demand for housing is expected to be slow. But a CoreLogic analyst says historical housing patterns show which segments of the property market could see changes in values as arrival numbers increase. And we're seeing some developments already. {read on]
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/how-will-property-markets…
# Australia, Rent, Housing market, Students.How Jodie bought her mum a home at the age of 22
Rachael Evans ABC (No paywall)Growing up in south-western Sydney, Jodie's mother, Teresa, worked long hours earning minimum wage. After a string of injuries and, later, an osteoporosis diagnosis, Teresa was no longer able to easily access the family home. Once Jodie graduated from uni her first goal wasn't to travel — it was to buy her mum a home that she could live in comfortably. (ABC Everyday)
https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/how-jodie-bought-her-mum-a-home/…
# NSW, Families, Home ownership, Personal stories.