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  3. Housing Markets, Policy and Planning

Housing Markets, Policy and Planning (ABPL90281)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Summer Term - On Campus
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The subject concerns housing issues.  The provision of housing is presented as a complex system of interplay between construction, finance, real estate and bureaucracy (and others). It considers the challenge of providing good homes to all within the context of consistent under-supply over decades and a policy preference for private sector delivery.

This subject has four components

  1. The structure of housing provision. The roles and interplay between parts of the housing system including how markets work; the roles of developers, financiers, consumers and government; how the housing market works; supply, demand, role of property developers and the role of banks (including the growth of financialisation).
  2. The contribution of housing form and planning for housing to the workings of cities.
  3. The implications of market failure for certain population groups.
  4. Low-income housing policy (e.g. social housing).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of housing provision in Australia.
  • Demonstrate a good understanding of housing-related data and research.
  • Develop housing policy options for those poorly served by the market.
  • Evaluate the role of players across in the private, government and Not-For-Profit Sectors in housing outcomes.

Generic skills

  • Written and verbal communication.
  • Understanding of the operation of housing markets.
  • The contribution of housing to the urban form of cities.
  • Applied understanding of low income housing policy and planning.

Last updated: 19 November 2025