Richard Yetsenga’s Post

"Emerging from the numerous important takeaways are some key “game-changers”. These are policy moves that, when coordinated across all orders of government, could transform Canada’s housing landscape and go a long way toward delivering the more and better homes that Canadians deserve. Legalize density: Focusing housing growth in cities and communities, where there is existing infrastructure like roads and water lines, is faster, less costly, lower carbon and more resilient. Implement better building codes: Better building form can reduce operating costs, cut emissions, and improve resilience. Invest in factory-built housing: Factory-built housing and other process and material innovations can speed up construction, reduce costs, and systematize energy-efficient and climate-resilient features. Don’t build in high-risk areas: The most expensive home is the one you need to rebuild after an extreme weather event" #housingforall Smart Prosperity Institute

How Economic and Demographic Factors Shape Australia’s Housing Market Key demand drivers | Affordability | Population Growth | Migration and demographic changes | Consumer Confidence | Positive economic outlooks and expectations of rising property values boost demand. | Government Policies and Incentives | Construction Costs | Land Availability | Economic Conditions | Government Policies | Infrastructure Development https://lnkd.in/gvYkgsi5

I recently attended the launch of the report on the 'State of the Housing System 2024' in Sydney, by the Minister for Housing and Homelessness. The report was the culmination of a lot of hard work from the recently established National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, and the conclusion of my short consultancy with Treasury (at the Office of the Council). It was a real privilege to have worked with such a great team on this. I’m happy to say the report avoids making the quantum leap of quick, neat solutions to the complex knot of policy problems bound up in availability of housing in Australia. But it does clearly articulate what needs to change to improve housing supply and affordability in Australia, and the broad church of actors who are implicated in catalysing this change. I’m also happy to say it was cited liberally in the 2024 Budget Papers. Over and above the findings of the report, it is clear to me that – as with so many other complex challenges Australia is facing at present – change will require a whole of nation effort, not unlike the other great social transformations of our past. This is a matter of understanding and engaging the power structures which underpin the political economy of Australia’s housing crisis, and the collective action problems which lie in the path of its redress. This in turn will require us all to work together to bridge the yawning gap of mutual distrust and dismissal that is public discourse in this day and age. Inevitably this must begin with our own mental models and mindsets, and the organisational cultures through which we work. 

🏘️ Housing Ministers met under the Belgian Presidency of the EU council to issue the Liège Declaration on housing. We welcome the idea of setting up a platform to urgently support national, regional and local partnerships to end #housing exclusion. The #LiegeDeclaration, issued on 5 March, states that the average rents in the EU were almost a quarter higher at the end of 2023 than at the start of 2010. Eurocities members have advocated for decent and affordable housing in previous years. “The truth is housing affordability has a strong impact on cities but at the same time, local governments are uniquely placed to forge innovative solutions as circumstances require,” says Anna Iafisco. Learn more in our article → https://lnkd.in/gnTB9kMG Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024

Great to hear from Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council at National Press Club of Australia today. In response to a question on the role of local government, Ms. Lloyd-Hurwitz highlighted that local councils play a pivotal role in the delivery of new housing, and their influence is crucial for successful urban planning. A well-functioning housing market is essential, and councils, with the right support, can be key drivers in this effort. #housing #localgovernment

Only days after South Australia topped CommSec's State of the States report, there's more good news on the State's housing front with South Australia ranked number one in Housing Industry Association (HIA)'s Housing Scorecard. The Scorecard ranks each of the eight states and territories based on the performance of 13 key residential building indicators against their decade average, covering detached and multi-unit building activity, renovations, housing finance and rates of overseas and interstate migration.   South Australia is number one in the detached housing market indicators and the renovation sector, helping propel SA to top spot for the second straight scorecard, having also been ranked first in the nation in July 2023. This result demonstrates the efforts the State Government continues to make to address the housing crisis and improve the housing and building industry and it is clear that it is making a difference. We have bold strategies to bring more housing into the market by increasing supply, affordability and density in strategic sites.

The Task Force for Housing & Climate's recently released Blueprint for More and Better Housing presents recommendations for federal, provincial and municipal governments for building 5.8 million homes in Canada that are affordable, low-carbon and resilient. One of the key 'game-changers' from the report includes: 🏗️ Investing in factory-built housing to accelerate innovation in homebuilding by creating an investment fund to help companies advance mass timber, modular housing, low-carbon concrete, panelization and other innovative housing technologies that are capable of achieving scale, driving down costs, lowering carbon footprints and increasing climate resilience for housing. When it comes to building more and better housing, we need to decide where we build, what we build, how we build, why we build and foundations for success. 💭 What resonates with you from the report? Which recommendations feel the most challenging right now? Comment below ⬇ https://lnkd.in/g2wvutiH #Housing #Affordability #MassTimber #CDNPoli #LowCarbon #Resilience

RESEARCH: S&P Global Ratings has published new research, No Quick Fix for the U.S. Affordable Housing Shortage, which looks at how access to affordable housing has changed, especially since COVID-19. The report examines the role of affordable housing in improving socioeconomic outcomes and the credit implications for the entities it rates. 

Housing availability and affordability continue to be enormous societal and policy challenges. Scalability is crucial for success. Read the full report here.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government recently published its proposed amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework, alongside a detailed public consultation, and numerous associated Ministerial statements and letters. Taken together, this marks the new Labour government’s first steps in seeking to carry out “radical and decisive reform to our planning system” which is seen as essential to stimulate economic growth and prosperity. We are exploring across three articles some of the key implications of the proposed reforms for those involved in the commercial, residential and infrastructure sectors. In this, our second article, we explore the meaty area of housing and housing delivery.