Do Australians really want more affordable housing?

Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues in Australia today, but I'm not sure we're all talking about the same thing when we use that phrase.

For some people, affordability means lower house prices.

For others, it means being able to save a deposit, qualify for a loan, manage repayments, or simply have enough money left over after housing costs to live a decent life.

And there's another uncomfortable truth: many Australians say they want housing to be more affordable, but they also want the value of their own home or investment property to keep rising.

That tension sits at the heart of today's discussion, and at the end of today's show, you'll have a better understanding of what all this means to you.

In today's show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I talk about why housing affordability is far more complex than a simple slogan.

Takeaways

• Housing affordability depends on deposits, repayments, and leftover household cash.

• Price-to-income ratios miss the impact of interest rates and borrowing buffers.

• Late first-home buying forces families straight into bigger, more expensive homes.

• Saving deposits takes years, making unexpected setbacks far more damaging.

• Bank lending rules can block buyers even when repayments seem manageable.

• Interest rate rises reduce borrowing power without changing dwelling prices.

• Residual income reveals whether families can still live comfortably after housing costs.

• First-home buyer grants often inflate prices instead of improving affordability.

• Bank of Mum and Dad support widens the gap between households.

• Supply shortages and slow approvals keep housing pressure in the market.

About Simon Kuestenmacher

Simon Kuestenmacher is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group.

Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and a columnist for The New Daily and The Australian newspapers.

He ranks as one of the world's Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. If you can't get enough of the kind of data that explains how the world works, make sure to follow Simon on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels.

Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.

About Michael Yardney

Michael Yardney, founder of Metropole Property Strategists, has been voted one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders.

While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia's leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation.

Michael is a #1 best-selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation.

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About Demographics Decoded

Demographics drive economic performance, workforce participation and long-term prosperity.

Demographics Decoded explores:

• Workforce participation trends in Australia

• Labour shortages and skills gaps

• Productivity and economic growth

• Urbanisation and employment hubs

• Small business and demographic demand

• The future of work in Australia

• Education, skills and economic mobility

• Regional economic development

If you're a business owner, investor or decision maker who wants to anticipate structural change rather than react to headlines, this podcast gives you the demographic intelligence to stay ahead.

Explore more insights at:
https://demographicsdecoded.com.au