Industry body calls for government enquiry to address housing crisis

A leading real estate industry body has called for a government enquiry to address ‘skyrocketing housing demand’.

CEO of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, Tim McKibbin said the contrast between the demand for housing and the available stock is already at ‘critical’ levels – and is only set to get worse.

“REINSW is calling for an immediate and expeditious Inquiry into the inhibitors of supply and then a brutal action plan involving industry and Government to implement the recommendations,” Mr McKibbin said.

“The community is sick of all the talk on this issue. It’s time for action and this means government and industry working together now.”

Homebuyers unable to find a property at their price point have remained in the rental market, where a lack of supply is putting further pressure on rental prices, which have soared 10.2 percent in the past year.

Data from PropTrack has shown rental vacancy rates were at an historic low in March this year. As rental properties become available and have been quickly leased, landlords have had the opportunity to increase rent, further impacting households’ ability to save for a deposit.

In capital cities, rents have risen 13 percent year-on-year, while in regional areas, rents have gone up by 4.5 percent.

CoreLogic reported house values are also on the move, which Mr McKibbin said put the goal of buying a home further out of reach.

“Higher house prices and rents are an unavoidable market consequence of a housing shortfall, and without more social and affordable housing, increased homelessness is a catastrophic social consequence,” he said.

“There is already evidence of prices beginning to rebound and we need to remember that the bull-run through the pandemic typically pushed median prices up between 20 percent and 30 percent, depending on the area.

“The rebound in house prices is no surprise. The lack of supply is the primary enemy of affordability.”

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

Industry body calls for government enquiry to address housing crisis

The housing affordability crisis demands attention now, as values are on the move again, REINSW says

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.