Business leader and former competition watchdog Graeme Samuel has joined a push for business to help fix the housing affordability crisis, which is making it harder to attract workers to modest-paid jobs in expensive capital cities.
Housing All Australians is calling for business-led innovation and a national discussion about how to address the shortage of affordable, public and social housing, as an estimated 116,000 people battle homelessness.
Economist and Macroplan executive chairman Brian Haratsis said the shortage of affordable housing would only get worse as Australia opened up to international workers to fill job vacancies.
“Yes, we need more overseas labour, but where will these workers live?” Mr Haratsis said.
“Businesses will find it difficult to attract staff if they can’t find a place to live, and if they can’t afford the rent where there is available stock.
“Overcoming a systemic problem such as housing affordability requires a collaborative approach from industry and all levels of government.”
Read the full article at the Australian Financial Review – Full Article