Speaking at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in Melbourne yesterday, Treasurer Scott Morrison presented institutional investment in affordable housing as a potential remedy to high property prices.
Mr Morrison, whose May federal budget is slated to include measures to address housing affordability, once again ruled out changes to negative gearing.
The government has also been considering allowing first home buyers to access their super for a deposit – an idea that has been roundly rejected by the industry.
But in his speech Mr Morrison focused on the need for developers, governments and investors to work together to "de-risk investment in affordable housing".
"As is already occurring overseas, the goal is for affordable housing to be conceived not so much as a real estate investment, but a longer term fixed interest investment that can comfortably sit within institutional investment portfolios," Mr Morrison said.
"As with residential real estate, this will require the same prerequisites to establish a new institutional investment class.
"The other key requirement is the development of a mature housing mutuals sector that has the scale, expertise and balance sheet to partner with developers, governments at all levels and investors."
Industry Super Australia was quick to embrace the idea, with ISA director of public affairs Matt Linden labelling the idea a "step in the right direction".
"Industry SuperFunds are willing investors in affordable housing where returns are viable and welcome suggestions of creating new opportunities for institutional investment," he said.
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