{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationHousing affordability worsens as supply falls further behind demand
Housing affordability worsens as supply falls further behind demand
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
The latest HIA Housing Affordability Report shows affordability fell by 4.5 per cent in the March quarter, with more than 1.8 average incomes now required to service a typical mortgage nationally, the worst result since HIA began measuring affordability in 1994.
"Australia's housing affordability problem is caused by too few homes."
"The latest interest rate increases have reduced borrowing capacity, but the underlying driver of poor affordability remains that housing supply has failed to keep pace with population and economic growth."
Mr Reardon said the Affordability Report also highlighted why recent changes to housing taxation and self-managed superannuation (SMSF) fund borrowing arrangements should be carefully reconsidered.
"The Australian Government has acknowledged, and made public, that the changes to negative gearing will reduce housing supply over the coming decade by around 35,000 homes," he said.
"It has now introduced another measure that restricts another source of private capital used to finance new housing, yet no assessment has been released showing what this will mean for future housing supply."
Media reports have stated that Treasury has advised Parliament that around 4,300 new SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements were entered into during 2024.
"That figure does not tell us how many homes depended on those investors for projects to proceed.
"The loss of one source of investment can affect far more than the individual dwelling ultimately purchased.
"People create demand for housing. Investment creates supply."
"SMSFs do not create additional demand for housing because they do not live in the homes they help finance. They provide another source of capital that allows new homes to be built."
“Home prices aren’t high because there are too many investors at weekend auctions. This is a symptom of the housing shortage.
“Rents aren’t rising because there are too many investors owning homes. This also, is a symptom of the problem.
“To understand the underlying problem, it should be considered that Australia is attempting to accommodate approximately 11 million households in just 10 million homes.
"What improves affordability is increasing the number of homes available," said Mr Reardon.
"Policies that reduce the amount of capital available to build those homes risk making affordability worse."
"The Government has modelled the adverse impact of the negative gearing reforms on housing supply and should provide the same level of transparency on the impact of restricting SMSF investment.
“This analysis should include the adverse impact of this change on state government revenues, which are likely to be negative.
"If Australia is serious about improving affordability, every housing policy should be assessed against one simple question: Will it result in more homes being built?"
Download our latest HIA Affordability Report
For more information please contact:
Housing must not be collateral damage of data centres
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgement today that housing must remain a central consideration as Australia expands its digital infrastructure and data centre capacity.
Update on untitled land contracts and contracts signed before 1 July
This member alert is for members who enter into domestic building contracts entered into before 1 July 2026. It is also important information for members who enter into domestic building contracts with clients with untitled land.
Update on recent HIA advocacy activities
Over the past few weeks HIA has been advocating strongly on behalf of members on a range of policy and regulatory issues that have significant implications for housing supply, business confidence and the capacity of our industry to deliver the homes Australia needs.
Tasmanian builders shouldn't be shut out of housing work over union membership
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today written to the Tasmanian Government calling for a commitment that state-funded and state-partnered housing work will continue to be awarded on merit, not industrial arrangements, warning new federal procurement rules could shrink the pool of builders able to deliver the homes Tasmania needs.