As more than 800 homes are announced in the first round of an affordable housing fund, polling reveals a growing level of dissatisfaction with the market.
The first group of developments in the federal government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund includes 814 houses built across 12 projects.
Where are new homes being built?
Nearly 700 of the proposed new builds will be in Melbourne while 53 will be constructed in NSW, 37 in Western Australia, 18 in South Australia, and 10 in Tasmania.
Noble Park, Lynbrook, Kensington and Ivanhoe are the locations selected in Victoria, while Dapto, Wollongong, Cammeray, Bangor and Heathcote were chosen in NSW.
Perth in Western Australia, Panorama in South Australia, and Ravenswood in Tasmania will also house projects.
The majority of the proposed new builds will be in Melbourne, with others in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. Source: SBS News
Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said the measure would help provide stability for many.
"Every single one of these dwellings represents more than just a roof over someone's head — it's the foundation for building a better and more prosperous life," she said.
Australians aren't happy
Meanwhile, new , reveals Australia's dissatisfaction with the availability of good, affordable housing was among the highest in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).
Just 22 per cent of , the lowest level since Gallup starting conducting the polls in 2006.
It found 76 per cent were dissatisfied with affordable housing levels, the second-highest in the OECD behind Türkiye.
"Between 2002 and 2024, the house price-to-income ratio almost doubled, with the average house in Australia now costing nearly nine times the average household income," the survey said.
"The result is a limited and expensive choice of housing options, which affects younger people and low-income households the most, as they have fewer economic resources to combat the hike in prices."
Australians' dissatisfaction with affordable housing stands in contrast to their positive views on other community infrastructure and services.
According to the poll, strong majorities expressed satisfaction with the quality of healthcare (71 per cent), schools (66 per cent), roads and highways (60 per cent), and public transportation (61 per cent) in their local areas. However, when it comes to housing, only 22 per cent feel the same.
The Gallup survey said Australians aged between 18 and 34 had the lowest levels of housing satisfaction at just 16 per cent, compared to 20 per cent of those between 35 and 64 years old and 35 per cent of people aged over 65.
While the survey report said government measures could help to boost supply and affordability, the sentiment among the community was not positive.
"For many decades, the 'Australian Dream' has been built upon the ideal of home ownership as a marker of progress, success and stability. It could be turning into something closer to a nightmare."
Long-term homelessness rising
As housing becomes increasingly unaffordable, long-term homelessness is surging.
There were 37,779 people experiencing persistent homelessness in 2023/24 — an increase of 25 per cent from five years earlier — the Productivity Commission found in its yearly report on government services.
The proportion of people facing persistent homelessness, defined as people who use homelessness services for more than seven months over a 24-month period, climbed to 22.5 per cent.
They were grim findings, Homelessness Australia chief executive Kate Colvin said.
"More Australians than ever are trapped in long-term homelessness and even those who find housing are struggling to maintain it without adequate support," she said.
With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
