Housing Research for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
Ending Homelessness in Australia: How can the homelessness service system be redesigned and implemented to be effective for different groups across the life course?, AHURI Final Report 347, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne, (with A Spinney, A Beer, D MacKenzie, A Meltzer, K Muir, A Peters & k valentine) (2020)
Comment here on AHURI research on homelessness service systems
The existing Australian homelessness service system has known strengths but its effectiveness is constrained for different population groups who experience a range of other social, economic, health and justice issues. This research develops strategies to redesign the homelessness service system in Australia that could virtually end homelessness.
Redesign of a homelessness service system for young people, AHURI Final Report 327, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne, doi:10.18408/ahuri-5119101, (with D MacKenzie, T Hand, C Zufferey, A Spinney and D Tedmanson) (2020)
Comment here on AHURI research on homelessness service systems
This research identifies measures that could reduce youth homelessness and lead to improved outcomes for young people who experience homelessness. The findings are based on a community-level analysis of special homelessness services (SHS) data and sites of innovation in three states: South Australia, NSW and Victoria.
Matching markets in housing and housing assistance, AHURI Final Report 307, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with A Sharam, M Byford, B Karabay & T Burke) (2018)
Comment here on AHURI Housing Research
This study identified five Australian housing markets that could be made more efficient using online technology to match highly specific ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers’. The five markets considered are: swaps in public housing; disability accessible housing; low-cost private rental housing brokerage; apartment presales for low/mid income earners; and precinct-level urban redevelopment. The research also proposed solutions to how the matching markets could best operate.
Inquiry into funding and delivery of programs to reduce homelessness, AHURI Final Report 279, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with P Flatau, K Zaretzky, k valentine, A Spinney, L Wood, D MacKenzie & D Habibis) (2017)
Comment here on AHURI research on homelessness service systems
This research investigated the funding and delivery of programs to reduce homelessness in Australia, providing the first comprehensive examination of the funding of Specialist Homelessness Services and other services assisting those experiencing homelessness. It found current levels of funding are below levels required to meet client demand, and that any additional funding sources supplement, not replace, government funding.
The funding and delivery of programs to reduce homelessness: the case study evidence, AHURI Final Report 274, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with D MacKenzie, P Flatau, k valentine & A Seivwright) (2017
Comment here on AHURI research on homelessness service systems
This research investigated how services supporting those experiencing homelessness are funded, and how different forms and levels of funding, together with diverse funding sources, impact on the delivery of homelessness assistance. This study is based on nine case studies focused on different service models, organisational forms and potential new ways of funding services for the homeless.
Safe and sound? How funding mix affects homelessness support for Indigenous Australians, AHURI Final Report 272, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with A Spinney & D Habibis) (2016)
Comment here on AHURI research on homelessness service systems
Indigenous Australians are 14 times more likely to become homeless than other Australians, and their homelessness situations are likely to be more severe. This research examined how the changing mix of government and non-government, direct and indirect funding influences the provision of services to Indigenous Australians and its outcomes.
Social housing exits: incidence, motivations and consequences, AHURI Final Report 229, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with I Wiesel, H Pawson, W Stone and S Herath) (2014)
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This report explores the factors influencing tenant choices to remain in or depart from public housing. The research found that a small but significant cohort of social housing tenants who are in paid employment and pay full market rent, would consider exiting the sector at their own initiative to become home owners, but not private renters.
Understanding what motivates households to become and remain investors in the private rental market, AHURI Final Report 130, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with T Seelig, A Thompson, T Burke, S Pinnegar & A Morris) (2009)
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Towards best practice for public housing asset management, AHURI Positioning Paper 118, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with R Kenley, M Chiazor & C Heywood) (2009)
Comment here on AHURI Housing Research
This report (i) identifies and examines the current state and attributes of asset management practices applicable to social housing in Australia, (ii) discusses the key asset management issues and questions arising from international experience with social housing asset management, (iii) identifies the set of characteristics associated with best practice applied to social housing asset management in Australia, and (iv) reviews the literature and policy debates in relation to asset management.
Older persons in public housing: the policy and management issues, AHURI Final Report 121, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with C Neske, A Jones & R Phillips) (2008)
Comment here on AHURI Housing Research
This report identifies the emerging policy and management issues for public housing providers and for Commonwealth and state/territory governments as older people in public housing seek to age in place.
Older persons in public housing: Present and future profile, AHURI Research Paper, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (2007)
Comment here on AHURI Housing Research
As a preliminary to investigating the housing policy and management issues associated with older tenants in Australia, this report (i) reviews the changing approaches to older people, (ii) analyses secondary and other data sets to develop a profile of older public housing tenants, and (iii) using demographic projections, estimates the future demand by older people for social housing.
Rental Systems in Australia and Overseas, AHURI Final Report 95, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (2006)
Comment here on rental systems research
This report traverses some difficult and complex issues: rent, rental systems, social housing finance systems, the objective of social housing, affordability, equity, financial viability and work disincentives. It not only discusses these issues in themselves but more importantly, relates them to one another.
Rental Systems in Australia and Overseas, AHURI Positioning Paper 74, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne, (with T Burke) (2004)
Comment here on rental systems research
As a preliminary to examining the issues associated with rental systems in Australia, this report (i) highlights the importance of rental systems for achieving social housing objectives, (ii) reviews and assesses the key literature on rental systems both in Australia and overseas, (iii) briefly outlines the history and debates about rental systems in Australia, (iv) outlines current rent arrangements in Australia for different social housing sectors, (v) outlines current rent arrangements overseas, (vi) identifies key current issues with rental systems which will provide a basis for further research, and (vii) outlines the larger context within which possible reforms must be assessed.
Independent Living Units: The Forgotten Social Housing Sector, AHURI Final Report 53, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (2004)
Comment here on ILU research
Independent living units (ILUs) are an important but largely forgotten social housing option for older people in Australia. This report (i) ascertains the significance and status of ILUs as an affordable and appropriate housing option for older people, particularly those who have low value assets and low incomes, (ii) fills an information gap about ILUs, (iii) identifies current changes, issues and strategies in the ILU sector, and (iv) explores the potential, opportunities and disadvantages for the provision of aged care services linked with ILUs. It concludes by clarifying their current and future role as an affordable housing option for older people with low assets and low incomes.
Independent Living Units: The Forgotten Social Housing Sector: Appendix 4, AHURI Final Report 53, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne, (2004)
Comment here on ILU research
Independent Living Units: Clarifying Their Current and Future Role as an Affordable Housing Option for Older Persons with Low Assets and Low Incomes, AHURI Positioning Paper 59, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with T Herbert) (2003)
Comment here on ILU research
Public and community housing are well documented as housing options for older people with relatively low value assets and low incomes. However, other not-for-profit (NFP) organisations also provide housing for this group. Commonly known as independent living units (ILUs), they are provided mainly by organisations within the aged care sector. This preliminary report (i) outlines the development of independent housing within the aged care sector over the past five decades, (ii) previews the issues impacting on the future of ILUs, and (iii) reviews the international literature which focuses on housing models with similar characteristics (independent housing provided by not-for-profit and non-government organisations specifically for older people with low income and low or limited assets).
A Private Retail Investment Vehicle for the Community Housing Sector, AHURI Final Report 21, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with D Hayward & H Bisset) (2002)
Comment here on private retail investment research
This report (i) proposes a financial product and investment vehicle through which retail investors can invest in community housing, (ii) provides an assessment of the proposed financial product and investment vehicle, (iii) reviews the policy implications for community housing organisations and for the private rental market.
A private retail investment vehicle for the community housing sector, AHURI Work-in-Progress Report, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (D Hayward & H Bisset) (2002)
Comment here on private retail investment research
Most of the literature around private investment in social housing has focused primarily on private investors, particularly institutional investors, their expectations of returns, barriers to their investment and their preferred forms of investment. Little work has been done on the possibility and feasibility of community housing organisations (CHOs) utilizing private investment to finance their capital requirements. In particular, little analysis has been done of the primary target group for community housing and their capacity to support private investment in community housing. This report addresses this gap by (i) scoping the three key elements of community housing finance – capital finance, revenue and ongoing costs, (ii) analysing the range of income and affordable rent parameters of the primary target groups for community housing, (iii) modelling finances based on some assumptions about the key elements, and (iv) calculating the subsidies and other supports required if CHOs are to utilise private investment for community housing.
A Private Retail Investment Vehicle for the Community Housing Sector, AHURI Positioning Paper 18, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne (with D Hayward & H Bisset) (2001)
Comment here on private retail investment research
This report sets the scene for the development of a private investment vehicle for small scale retail investment in social housing by (i) examining the current housing policy context in Australia, (ii) scoping the types of investment and investors (in particular, retail investors), (iii) outlining current models of capital finance for social housing, and (iv) reviewing six different types of financing options that have been previously proposed – housing bonds, debt financing, headleasing, joint ventures, rental property trusts and housing companies – and the taxation implications of each.