Dominic Behrens: Against ‘Affordable’ Housing

It’s not the same as social housing, and it doesn’t help those most in need. Australia is spending big on ‘affordable’ housing—but we shouldn’t.In “Against ‘Affordable’ Housing”, Dom Behrens and Ethan Gilbert argue the reality that ‘affordable’ housing is deeply, intrinsically flawed. It is a wasteful use of public funds that redirects government support away from the people who need it most. It provides those who do benefit with help they don’t particularly value, and the criteria and rules set up to administer it result in bizarre outcomes. Most importantly, the policy is wholly ineffective at delivering the outcome Australians actually want: not ‘affordable’ housing, but inexpensive housing. Economist and Sydney YIMBY Secretary Dominic Behrens co-authored “Against ‘Affordable’ Housing” with Ethan Gilbert, and is our guest on today’s show.Hosted by Jonathan O’Brien, Editor-in-Chief of Inflection Points.Read the article: inflectionpoints.work/articles/against-affordable-housing