Why do we need affordable housing? - Centre for Australian Community Organisations and Management in Sydney NSW Australia

Incomes earned by those on the basic wage have increased far less than house prices have increased during the last 25 years, yet governments have largely withdrawn from providing housing for people encountering housing difficulties. Sydney has become a particularly difficult environment for those on the basic wage (or just over) to find affordable housing. In recent years, state and local governments have attempted some initiatives to provide a small amount of affordable housing, writes John Wilkinson.

Summary: Affordable housing in NSW: past to present

The onset of booms in business activity, has frequently led to escalations in house prices which, in turn, result in a shrinkage in affordable housing
During the period immediately after the second world war, governments, at both a federal and state level, decided on intervention to solve a crisis in affordable housing
Since the late 1970s, however, governments have largely withdrawn from providing housing for people encountering housing difficulties
Rather than providing homes, governments have turned to providing small amounts of rent assistance as a means of alleviating the accommodation difficulties of those on low incomes
In recent years, the NSW government, in conjunction with Sydney local governments, has attempted some initiatives to provide a small amount of affordable housing

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