Reframing Social Housing: financing and tenant autonomy

Housing affordability is a key issue for many Australians. While the focus is often on affordability for existing and prospective home owners, it is also a significant issue for many renters. About 31% of Australian households are renting. Rental housing is broadly in two categories: private and social. Social housing as a share of all housing has been slowly decreasing, This paper examines the issues with social housing and the case for reforms to this sector. The paper reviews a specific proposal for a ‘bond aggregator’ to finance social housing, and proposes some fundamental reforms to improve tenant wellbeing and the operation of this sector.