A National Housing and Homelessness Plan was promised in the National Housing Accord. After years of silence, Housing Minister Clare O'Neill presented Homes for Australia as the national housing plan in May 2026. We reviewed it and are unimpressed. The one point on which we agree with the principles reflected in this plan is that it requires constant revision. This assembly will create a community sourced revision to Homes for Australia. It will be evidence based, cost-informed and sustainably financed. Get involved to take part.
Log in to register and submit responses.
Goals
Advise policy makers about the quality of the housing plans they have made. Our publication will be a revision to Homes for Australia. If our public representatives won't follow through on the commitment to make a viable plan, the Dwellsembly will hold the pen on the next draft.
Preparation
Consider the National Housing Accord, which sets out the current 5 year plan to deliver 1.2 million new, well-located homes; and the Homes for Australia (national housing plan). Using How Big Things Get Done, we're going to consider the quality of these plans and do the job that political representatives have demonstrated themselves to be incapable of delivering.
Eligibility
Be 18+ (or bring an adult), currently reside in Australia (migrants are welcome to contribute to this plan - we recognise that everyone needs a home) and accept the principles that this group is a safe place for open dialogue for people with diverse perspectives (it is not a combative debate). Everyone is expected to have considered the material on the reading list.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil
On 28 May 2026, the Australian Government released Homes for Australia: A National Plan. The Government describes this document as the government’s comprehensive $47 billion plan to rebuild Australia’s housing system so it works for all Australians.
We reviewed Homes for Australia.
Australia plans to spend billions on housing policy. The plan does not tell Australians how that money will be used… or much else about the housing system objectives on which this plan is based.
Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner
The book we use as a framework for evaluating whether housing plans are set up to succeed.
Housing: The Great Australian Right
Kevin Bell
If having a home is recognised as a human right, Australian policy should be reoriented. What follows is an expectation that the adequacy of homes require is determined by reference to social, economic, cultural, climatic, ecological and other factors. Attributes of adequacy are security of tenure, availability of services, facilities and infrastructure, affordability, habitability, accessibility, location and cultural adequacy.