Australia Proposes Right to Housing Bill to Tackle Housing Crisis

Global population growth has posed new challenges in many aspects of life, including housing. However, beyond that, the housing crisis is also an issue of poverty and inequality. In June 2024, the Parliament of Australia proposed the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024.

Australia’s Housing Crisis

“There is no denying the housing crisis we are in. It is a longstanding crisis, fundamentally driven by the failure to deliver enough housing of all types–from social housing through to market home ownership,” said Susan Lloyd‑Hurwitz, the Chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council of Australia. 

Australia’s housing crisis has been a persistent issue. In 2021, over 120,000 people in the country experienced homelessness. Many factors contributed to this issue. Data by Homelessness Australia reported that 52% of people who sought homelessness services had problems with rent affordability. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council also included increasing migration, rising interest rates, and cost inflation among the reasons.

Meanwhile, article 25 of the Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to adequate housing. The Parliament of Australia plans to introduce this right in the new bill proposed in June 2024.

The Right to Housing

The National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 aims to “recognize that the right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right affirmed in international law.” This includes  Indigenous self-determination in housing policy. It also recognizes the right to build sustainable and inclusive communities and supports improved housing outcomes.

Under the bill, the National Housing and Homelessness Plan must be developed every ten years. It must be prepared collaboratively with civil society organizations and representatives of people with disadvantages in the housing system who have experienced housing needs and homelessness. 

Furthermore, the bill also includes the establishment of advisory and advocating offices. The National Housing Consumer Council will advise the Minister for Housing on the Plan’s effectiveness from the consumer perspective. Meanwhile, the National Housing and Homelessness Advocate will perform advocacy functions, such as monitoring the Plan’s implementation and conducting and raising awareness of the housing crisis. 

The Minister must present a report on the Plan’s effectiveness every three years. Additionally, the independent housing agency Housing Australia, which will assist the Minister on the Plan’s implementation, must submit a review of each Plan by the end of the ninth year.

Addressing Other AspectsAustralia’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill will require support from the parliament houses to pass. As the housing crisis is a complex and global issue, solving it will require governments, businesses, and civil society to address poverty, inequalities, and economic imbalances as well. Ultimately, applying a human-rights-based approach should extend beyond housing and include other aspects of society to ensure equity for all.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.

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