Policy-makers do not say what standard of living their policies expect, but they hint at it. Grand housing announcements are made, with significant budgets deployed in pursuit of those goals. When the policy goal is quantity and speed, questions of quality might be lost in the noise. This program explores what quality and condition is expected, from thermal comfort to health, structural-defects to insurability, from fairness to value, we're looking at the commitments, the legal standards and practical consequence of the recommendations that the government's appointed advisory council is making on these subjects.
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Goals
Advise policy-makers of community expectations for policy settings about the quality and condition of homes.
Preparation
Consider the features that make a dwelling adequate for the purposes of the UN Convention and the language politicians use to describe the homes that their plans aim to deliver.
Eligibility
Be 18+ (or bring an adult), currently reside in Australia 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.
The National Housing Accord
The Albanese Government
This is the government policy which currently commits Australia to its approach to addressing housing challenges with headline commitments to delivering 1.2 million new, well-located homes by 30 June 2029.
The State of the Housing System Report (2025)
The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council
The Council is mandated to provide frank, independent advice to government on housing issues.
Homes for NSW Strategy 2025–2035
NSW Government (led by Rose Jackson)
A strategy that recognises human rights, that commits to delivering decent dwellings, encourages build to rent programs and aims for the public sector to become a model landlord.
Climate Vulnerability in Western Sydney
The Centre for Western Sydney
This report identifies that new social housing is being built in Western Sydney at record rates and those homes are being built in areas facing disaster risk. It calls for limits on new development in high-risk areas, consistent, up-to-date multi-hazard mapping, systemic reform that is grounded in collective protection and equity-based planning.