Can Housing Be Fixed Without Hurting Investors?

Australia’s housing crisis is no longer just affecting low-income households — as rents rise faster than wages and affordability declines, more middle-income earners and essential workers are being pushed into housing stress. In this episode, we sit down with Maiy Azize from Anglicare Australia and Everybody’s Home to unpack why this shift is happening and what it reveals about the structure of Australia’s housing system.We challenge some of the biggest assumptions shaping today’s housing debate — from whether supply alone can solve affordability, to the role of property investors, and how tax settings like negative gearing and capital gains tax may be influencing the market. The conversation explores how investor behaviour has evolved, why rental pressure has intensified, and whether Australia has become too reliant on private investors to deliver housing outcomes.We also explore the unintended consequences of investor-driven markets, the rise of borderless investing into regional towns, the growing divide between homeowners and renters, and why more Australians are feeling locked out of stable housing—even when they’re earning decent incomes. Along the way, the conversation tackles negative gearing, capital gains tax, public housing, Airbnb, rental affordability, and the growing pressure facing communities across both capital cities and regional Australia.This is not a simple “investors vs renters” conversation. It’s a nuanced debate about what happens when housing becomes both a human need and a financial asset—and whether Australia can realistically fix affordability without rethinking the role of government, investors, and the private market altogether.Episode Highlights02:40 – What Rental Stress Really Means Today07:52 – How Tax Settings Reshaped Landlords09:12 – Budget Night: What Tax Changes Really Mean15:53 – Credit Cycles Driving the Property Market26:09 – Buyer’s Agents and the Investor Boom34:05 – More Homes, But Less Fair Housing Outcomes40:00 – Zoning, Incentives, and Developer Reality45:22 – Why Selling Public Housing Made It Worse48:44 – The Banking System’s Role in Housing51:38 – Budget Changes: What Happens Next?53:20 – Build-to-Rent Under the Microscope55:12 – Final Thoughts and Listener Q&ALinksWritten Off: The high cost of Australia’s unfair tax system - Everybody's HomePriced Out: An Index of Affordable Rentals for Australian Voters - Everybody's HomeRENTAL AFFORDABILITY SNAPSHOT PDFAbout the GuestMaiy Azize is the Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia and the national spokesperson for Everybody’s Home, a national campaign focused on housing affordability and ending Australia’s housing crisis. Through her work, Maiy advocates for policies aimed at improving rental affordability, expanding public and social housing, and addressing the growing number of Australians experiencing housing stress and insecurity.She is also closely involved in research and policy analysis surrounding housing affordability, including Anglicare Australia’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot and Everybody’s Home housing reports, which examine how rising rents and housing costs are affecting low-income workers, essential workers, and middle-income Australians across the country.Known for her direct and evidence-based approach, Maiy regularly contributes to national discussions around housing policy, inequality, renting, homelessness, and the long-term social impacts of Australia’s housing system.Connect with MaiyLinkedIn - Maiy AzizeLinkedIn - Anglicare AustraliaWebsite - Anglicare AustraliaFacebook Page - Anglicare AustraliaResourcesVisit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.auIf you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - [email protected] for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.auWork with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.auLooking for a Mortgage Broker? alcove.com.auWork with Chris: [email protected] the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word, and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3r0nnJrLUu3t1GpO7X3j6EIf you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!See you on the inside,Veronica & Chris