Housing in the North: Policies and Markets

Abstract

This monograph represents the results of a research project, and comes into the context of symposium contributions and two invited papers. The contributions represent a wide range of interests within the housing context, from the private sector to government departments, to academia. Participants in the symposium that formed the monograph’s context encompassed a wide range of interests, from major mining company executives to representatives of Aboriginal housing associations to builders. The papers within the volume reflect the heterogeneity of the group of housing providers and the fact that it was the first time such a group had been drawn together within the Territory. It discusses what is sometimes regarded as “abnormal” housing supply structure in the Northern Territory. That is, a situation in which less than one third of families own or are purchasing their own homes. The Northern Territory Housing Commission influences the supply of housing by being the landlord to half of those in rental property, whilst also providing three quarters of all mortgage finance The monograph’s four sections are based on the focus and nature of the approach the contributors adopted. First, overviews of the housing supply system in Australia provide background for discussion of “Top End” markets. Second, accounts are given of the roles and policies adopted by the Department of Lands and the Housing Commission. Third, three papers deal with contemporary issues within the housing system: building industry employment structure, problems of non-government mortgage financing, and problems facing the private sector in trying to erode government dominance in the housing markets. Fourth, three specific housing markets are discussed. These are the rental market in Darwin, special market towns and Aboriginal attitudes towards housing and how these may be incorporated in the planning process. The paper should form a useful basis for further studies of the housing market in the Top End.