In Australia, the task of supplying social and affordable housing has generally been borne by broad-based tax systems operated by the Commonwealth and State Governments, rather than the planning or development assessment system.
Recent policy statements have indicated that in both NSW and Victoria, there is increased government support for supporting the supply of social and affordable housing through the planning system.
It is useful to consider the rationale for addressing the shortage of social and affordable housing in this way, and the implications for land and development economics.