Why politicians must pretend to want cheap housing

UQPPES Statecraft Autumn Lecture, 16 March 2022

Thesis

Let me start with my thesis.

Much of the contemporary debate about housing affordability is a distraction; promoted by vested interests and reinforced by political incentives. The proposed solutions are usually policies that favour property owners, not renters and buyers.

The first way we know something is off is the language. Affordability is a bea…