A new report released by the National Housing Supply Council (NHSC) has concluded that Australia continues to be dogged by an on-going housing shortage and chronic affordability issues.

The report found that issues surrounding severe overcrowding have worsened over the last decade, and a dependency on ‘marginal’ housing has continued to grow.

The report also found that rates of owner occupancy have declined, with rates of ownership also following a similar pattern. Couples, both with and without children, led the drop in home ownership over the 2001-11 period.

The percentage of people approaching retirement with a mortgage has also increased, with the NHSC concluding that housing price increases over the last decade being the main driving force behind the phenomenon.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says that the report is evidence enough for the need for Government intervention.

“Without government policy intervention, unaffordability will continue to grow and there will be further threats to home ownership and upward pressure on rents,” HIA’s Chief Executive Industry Policy and Media Graham Wolfe said.

“Unless we address housing affordability, such as by reducing the inequitable tax burden on new housing, there will be consequences for society. The Council notes that it is already seeing evidence of overcrowding, particularly in disadvantaged sections of the community.”

The full report can be found here