Eight COVID-19 research projects to inform housing policy response: AHURI

Having the best and most up-to-date research findings delivered by AHURI’s eight leading university research partners will enhance decision making that effects many of the most vulnerable Australians, as well as supporting the economic recovery from the crisis, according to Adrian Harrington, Chair of AHURI. 

The research, which will be fast tracked to deliver findings in the second half of 2020 examines topics across the housing continuum including: 

After the pandemic, can building homes rebuild Australia? 

By freezing the economy and social interactions, Australia has shown great success in reducing the spread of the virus, however it has come at a huge cost to employment.

The housing industry has been widely promoted as an ideal mechanism for delivering economic stimulus, but how should does it actually have the capacity to deliver economic stimulus in periods of economic crisis and what forms should such response take? 

Renting in the time of COVID-19: understanding the impacts.

The economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has placed many in the rental market at risk; they face uncertainty, tenure insecurity and financial hardship.

Guided by the needs of policy, this project rapidly generates a nationwide dataset and essential reporting on the impact of COVID-19 on tenants. 

Housing affordability stress during COVID-19

This examines the impacts of COVID-19 on housing affordability stress (i.e. paying more than 30 per cent of income for housing) for home buyers and tenants across different housing types and household configurations. 

Other projects will consider pathways to regional recovery, understanding the impacts of policy responses to the pandemic, impacts on landlords as well as tenants, and impacts on those in marginal housing settings. 

"This is the first time that AHURI has funded rapid research projects on this scale and reflects the urgent need for quality research to support urban and housing policy innovation given the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on Australia's urban environments and housing markets," said Mr Harrington. 

"The Agenda was launched in collaboration with AHURI’s partner universities." 

"We’re very proud at how quickly our research teams came together to develop these projects’, says Dr Michael Fotheringham, Executive Director of AHURI. 

"Having the best and most up-to-date research findings will enable governments at all levels to develop policies that support Australians during and beyond the pandemic, and help deliver safe, secure and affordable housing for all."

The eight rapid-response projects will be published by AHURI in the second half of 2020.