Renters and Housing Union || No. The myth about migration and the housing crisis persists for one reason: it is promoted by the ruling class as a distraction.
Australia has observed record levels of immigration over the post COVID period. This uptick has been used by a concerted lobby to explain a decades- long housing crisis.
Analysis from the Australia Insititute reveals that the growth in dwellings has significantly outpaced population growth, dispelling the myth of a demand- fuelled crisis.
ABS figures reveal that the number of households formed between 2016-2024 is significantly lower than the dwellings built. This implies that we don’t have a supply-demand issue, that we don’t have a scarcity issue, but a distribution issue.
1.6 million houses built
1.47 million households formed
Australia has observed record levels of immigration over the post-COVID period. This uptick has been used by a concerted lobby to explain a decades- long housing crisis.
Analysis from the Australia Insititute reveals that the growth in dwellings has significantly outpaced population growth, dispelling the myth of a demand- fuelled crisis.
In the post-World War II period, Australia faced a predicament – high immigration levels, but a shortage of homes. What was our response?
Instead of deregulation or cutting immigration, the government decided to play a decisive role in public housing construction. The federal and state governments coordinated to build and construct hundreds of thousands of homes which were either publicly held, or sold at discounted prices to buyers. As a result, home ownership increased from below 50% in the 1940s, to above 70%, by the 1970s.
Australia’s housing crisis is multifaceted, and at its core is the treatment of shelter like a commodity. Only when we disentangle that relationship, will we begin to find ways to solve Australia’s housing woes, and not fall for ruling class narratives.
The myth about migration and the housing crisis persists for one reason: It is promoted by the ruiling class, because it is a distraction. When we are fighting amount themselves it means we don’t recognise and fight our real enemy: landlords, property developers, politicians and the real estate industry. We must fight all who steal from us, exploit us, and rob us of our labour!
BUT ONLY WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER! WE CAN FIGHT BACK!
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