Housing, Location, Jobs, and Wages - declining affordability

Defaulting on the Australian dream This week we launched our report into the affordability of housing for workers in a number of occupations,Defaulting on the Australian dream. The research shows that a full-time salary no longer guarantees access to affordable housing in Australia. We've also created a new way for you to take action as part of the campaign. You can now send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper directly from our website! What's even more powerful than us contacting the media is for you to contact them direclty – to tell your story of housing stress and why you believe housing stress should no longer be ignored. We wish to thank Ged Kearney, President of the ACTU, for helping us launch the report, which shows that working Australians who would traditionally be looking to buy their first home are among those affected by the current housing crisis. Ged pointed out that more and more Australians don't have the protection of full-time work, and that people in causual and contract employment can have even more difficulty accessing affordable housing than reflected in this report. Housing stress means you are spending more than 30% of your income on housing, and we were surprised to discover how many people have to spend more than half of their income on rent. This makes it almost impossible to save for a deposit, which means that home ownership is not an option. Child care workers, cleaners and hairdressers are likely to spend more than 50% of their income on housing in their capital city. The crisis is most keenly felt by workers in Queensland, closely followed by NSW, ACT and NT. This report confirms the need for affordable housing close to jobs. Our plan for addressing housing affordability in Australia can be downloaded here. Regards, Joel Pringle Campaign Manager Australians for Affordable Housing

Do you want more affordable housing? I know I do. Pls check this out ...

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Join our photo petition We think it’s time to really show government we want more affordable housing. That’s why we’re launching a photo petition so you can put your face to the campaign, and show our leaders that we need immediate action on housing affordability. The photo petition will show decision makers that there are real people behind this campaign, and that we are truly committed to bringing about positive changes to housing policy. You really can be an Australian for Affordable Housing. Log on to our petition page, tell us why you want more affordable housing in a photo and post it to our website. We encourage you to be creative! Why not take a photo in front of your house, a local landmark, or even in a neighbourhood you’d love to live in? The images will be posted on our redesigned campaign website. Check out the new homepage and upload your photo petition HERE! Sarah Toohey Campaign Manager, Australians for Affordable Housing www.housingstressed.org.au PS - Keep spreading the word and help us reach our target of 5,000 supporters soon!

Healthy river systems lead to healthy housing prices in the Murray-Darling Basin

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Healthy rivers support healthy house prices

March 22, 2012

Analysis of the selling prices of houses in 90 local shires across the Murray-Darling Basin shows house values are rising — and they are strongest in river valleys that are in good ecological health.

The analysis, by the Australian Conservation Foundation’s economic adviser Simon O’Connor, shows a solid link between healthy rivers and a strong housing market.

“Houses in all parts of the Basin increased in value between 2006 and 2010, but house prices in regions where the river system remains in good health increased in value at a higher rate than house prices in the parts of the Basin where the river system is struggling,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Some opponents of a strong Murray-Darling Basin Plan have tried to suggest that returning more water to the environment would damage house prices in the Basin, but our study, using a more detailed set of data, tells a different story

“There is in fact a strong correlation between healthy rivers and healthy house prices.

“The best protection for regional communities and farming families is to keep the Basin’s rivers, Australia’s lifeblood, flowing.

“A strong Basin Plan is the best chance we have to secure a healthy environment and strong economy in the Basin."

The study used Australian Bureau of Statistics house price data from 90 councils and shires in the Basin and matched this information against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Sustainable Rivers Audit, which rated the ecological health of the Basin’s 23 major river valleys on a scale of extremely poor to good health.

Lifetime Affordable Housing Forum - 16 December 2010

Housing prices - comparison USA v Australian : Joe Hockey's levers

Thanks to Paul Howes on Twitter for this.

Every picture tells a story, it is said.

However, it is more than likely that this is not the whole story.

Have seen and heard stories of some very cheap housing

because of mortgage defaults in the US.

Perhaps the three US houses shown are not from mortgage defaulters?

Perhaps the article is there to reinforce Joe Hockey's preference for levers?

howespaul Paul Howes 

The front cover of today's AFR is just depressinghttp://plixi.com/p/52246776

4 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply