Most Australians want to see house prices decrease over the next five years, according to new polling data.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the RedBridge poll of 2,000 voters showed a clear desire for more affordable housing.
“More than one in two (54 per cent) want house prices to go down over the next five years, while one in five (21 per cent) want prices to increase,” Ms Azize said.
She said that even homeowners with mortgages were in favour of price drops.
“Even people with mortgages want to see house prices come down, with two in five (44 per cent) supporting a drop, compared to one in four (28 per cent) wanting prices to rise,” she said.
The poll also revealed widespread concern about housing affordability.
“Two in three (67 per cent) say the cost of housing is causing them stress,” Ms Azize said.
“Four in five (84 per cent) are worried about housing affordability for young Australians.”
Ms Azize said the public supports government intervention in the housing market.
“Seven in ten want the government to spend more money creating more social housing (69 per cent), and build, rent and sell affordable housing to workers (67 per cent),” she said.
The poll also found support for limiting negative gearing tax breaks.
“Nearly half want the government to limit negative gearing tax breaks to one property at a time (46 per cent) with only one in five (20 per cent) opposing,” Ms Azize said.
In response to these findings, Everybody’s Home is calling on political parties and candidates to commit to their ‘Roadmap to Reform’, which includes measures such as raising income support payments, implementing renter protections, phasing in tax reform, and expanding social housing.
Ms Azize said it was critical to address housing affordability in the upcoming election.
“Housing affordability will be a defining election issue,” she said.
“Continuing to outsource to the private market won’t end the housing crisis, and it won’t convince the electorate.”
