New research from the Australia Institute shows that eight in 10 Australians (80%) agree that the Federal Government should spend more money to directly build affordable housing in the Budget.

The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,002 Australians about their attitudes toward the Federal Government’s response to the housing crisis.

Key Findings:

• Eight in 10 Australians (80%) agree that the Government should spend more money to directly build affordable housing in the next Federal Budget, only 10% disagree.
• A vast majority of Australians (68%) do not think the Federal Government is doing enough to tackle the housing crisis, just 21% agree that it is.
• A majority of Australians (51%) do not think the Government’s investment fund (HAFF), which is expected to build 30,000 properties over five years, will provide enough social housing, which is more than twice as many as those who do (25%).

“Australia is in a housing crisis. Both renters and would-be first-home buyers are struggling to get a roof over their head,” said Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute.

“There is a whole generation of Australians who cannot afford to buy a home. Even more concerning is that too many Australians cannot even find an affordable home to rent.

“Our research shows that direct funding of social housing is one of the best ways to address the housing crisis and this is backed by an overwhelming majority of Australians. If this government is serious about building social homes for the community, it would directly fund the building of social homes instead of relying on an investment fund that will not fill the housing shortfall.

“The estimated cost of fixing the social housing shortfall may sound like a lot, but compared to the half-a trillion-dollar price tag of the Stage 3 tax cuts and nuclear submarines, it’s an absolute bargain to provide Australians with a roof over their head.”