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No Place Like Home: Repairing Australia's Housing Crisis
More than a million lower-income households in Australia pay above the affordability benchmark for their housing costs. More than 100,000 people are homeless. Seventy per cent of us are concerned we’ll never own property. Yet owning a home is still seen by most Australians as an essential part of our way of life.
It is generally accepted that Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. But we are divided—along class, generational and political lines—about what to do about it. Award-winning journalist Peter Mares draws on academic research, statistical data and personal interviews to create a clear picture of Australia’s housing problems and to offer practical solutions.
Expertly informed and eminently readable, No Place Like Home cuts through the noise and asks the common-sense questions about why we do housing the way we do, and what the alternatives might be.
It is generally accepted that Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. But we are divided—along class, generational and political lines—about what to do about it. Award-winning journalist Peter Mares draws on academic research, statistical data and personal interviews to create a clear picture of Australia’s housing problems and to offer practical solutions.
Expertly informed and eminently readable, No Place Like Home cuts through the noise and asks the common-sense questions about why we do housing the way we do, and what the alternatives might be.
368 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2018
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October 24, 2018‘Peter Mares gives a lucid overview of Australia’s housing crisis…This book offers a timely discussion of an increasingly urgent and complex problem. Accessible and sympathetic, No Place Like Home should kick off some serious policy debates and will appeal to the general reader.’
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Books + Publishing
November 6, 2018
Thank you so much Peter for writing this book. I hope you can continue the excellent work you are doing in this area. I sincerely hope our government takes notice - very soon. Or those in the private sector who are inclined to socially responsible investment.
Last week I found out suicide increased by 9% in 2016-17 in Australia. If Labour is re-elected in Victoria our Premier promises a Royal Commission into Mental Health. I don't know what a royal commission costs, but with that money - wouldn't it be amazing if some bright spark decided to put a roof over the heads of those with mental health issues, or the ones attempting to escape domestic violence etc etc. Poverty and housing issues cause so much trauma - and this in turn puts pressure on the welfare system, becoming generational. Our government consistently ignore this fact.
Last week I found out suicide increased by 9% in 2016-17 in Australia. If Labour is re-elected in Victoria our Premier promises a Royal Commission into Mental Health. I don't know what a royal commission costs, but with that money - wouldn't it be amazing if some bright spark decided to put a roof over the heads of those with mental health issues, or the ones attempting to escape domestic violence etc etc. Poverty and housing issues cause so much trauma - and this in turn puts pressure on the welfare system, becoming generational. Our government consistently ignore this fact.
November 23, 2024
Published in 2018, this prescient book could have been released this year for all the change ( pr lack of it) in the Australian housing situation today. It should be essential reading for every politician at every level of our community as well as for thoughtful citizens who want to see beyond their own backyard.
September 23, 2018
A great overview of housing is Australia. It covers all the key issues in an accessible level of detail, including the range of possible solutions. Extra points for understanding the significance of renting in the whole operation. 💯
February 13, 2019
Plenty of information, but written in an easy-to-understand and comprehensible way.
November 7, 2019
Well written and very interesting read on Australian housing market. Recommended only if you're interested in the subject, or want to learn more about it.
October 10, 2020
An excellent book an Australia’s housing affordability crisis by an excellent journalist and thinker.
Peter Mares analyses the reality and consequences of housing affordability in Australia, a country frequently rated as the most liveable.
Tracking the consequences of increasing income and wealth inequality that has been promoted by increasingly neo-liberal economic policies and practices, Peter rightly appeals to Australians to support the building of affordable housing as one of many important foundations for sustaining a decent society.
As a founder of one of Melbourne’s major social housing companies while a Greens councillor at the City of Melbourne, I find myself agreeing with many of the arguments Peter advances. I wish he was available as an advocate twenty years ago when I would have gladly welcomed his assistance.
Peter was a former ABC radio journalist who presented the weekly ‘National Interest’ program on Radio National. His intelligence, decency and empathy was as evident in his broadcasting then as it is in No Place Like Home.
If you lucky enough to have a bookshelf and somewhere to put it, make sure it includes No Place Like Home. It is a good, easy to read contribution to public debate on something invaluable that not enough of us are fortunate enough to share.
Peter Mares analyses the reality and consequences of housing affordability in Australia, a country frequently rated as the most liveable.
Tracking the consequences of increasing income and wealth inequality that has been promoted by increasingly neo-liberal economic policies and practices, Peter rightly appeals to Australians to support the building of affordable housing as one of many important foundations for sustaining a decent society.
As a founder of one of Melbourne’s major social housing companies while a Greens councillor at the City of Melbourne, I find myself agreeing with many of the arguments Peter advances. I wish he was available as an advocate twenty years ago when I would have gladly welcomed his assistance.
Peter was a former ABC radio journalist who presented the weekly ‘National Interest’ program on Radio National. His intelligence, decency and empathy was as evident in his broadcasting then as it is in No Place Like Home.
If you lucky enough to have a bookshelf and somewhere to put it, make sure it includes No Place Like Home. It is a good, easy to read contribution to public debate on something invaluable that not enough of us are fortunate enough to share.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews