The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council convened in Melbourne from 14 to 15 October 2024.
On 14 October 2024, Council members undertook site visits at several sites across Melbourne.
The Council met with Corin Moffatt, Co‑CEO of Foyer Foundation and the Launch Housing team at the Kangan Education First Youth Foyer in Broadmeadows. The Council discussed issues specific to youth homelessness and heard from current and previous residents of the Youth Foyer about their experiences.
The Council met with Sienna Whiteman, Assistant Development Manager for Commercial and Mixed Use Development from Mirvac to conduct a site visit at the LIV Albert Fields Build‑to‑Rent site. The Council also met with Kris Daff, Managing Director, Stephen Dodd, Senior Development Manager and David Allt‑Graham, Head of Development from Assemble at their Build‑to‑Rent‑to‑Own site in Kensington to discuss bolstering the sector in Australia.
The Council concluded its site visits by meeting with Nasteha Mohamud, Chair and Peter Sibly, CEO of the United Housing Co‑operative, where the Council discussed UHC’s growth strategy and its cooperative model.
On 15 October 2024, the full Council met and continued to develop the content that will form its State of the Housing System 2025 report, including the Council’s assessment of current supply conditions and housing affordability, and the long‑term outlook for supply, demand and affordability.
In this context, the Council discussed the implications of current and potential taxation settings on the housing market, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. The Council also discussed the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of housing supply challenges and policy options for New South Wales and the housing‑related content of the IMF’s Staff Concluding Statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission.
The Council commended the proposed PlanSA Future Living Code Amendment and committed to provide details in a press release on their views.
Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, and Commission staff met with the Council to discuss the Commission’s current research into housing construction productivity and hear the Council’s view on the issue.
Nicholas Dowie, Assistant Secretary, Housing Division at Treasury led a discussion on Commonwealth housing policy and heard the Council’s views on a range of current and potential housing policy measures.
Nick Latimer, Assistant Secretary, Centre for Population at Treasury presented on Australian population dynamics.