This report examines the role of policy in shaping social housing pathways through a review of current social housing operational policies. It considers application processes, eligibility criteria, rent, use of premises, tenant-initiated transfers, portfolio management and tenancy management by landlords.

Build-to-rent (BtR) is a form of residential development involving apartment blocks or complexes purpose-built for rental occupation and held in single ownership as long-term revenue-generating assets. A key aim of this research has been to assess the possible scope for a market-rate BtR product to act as a vehicle for affordable housing provision.

This research modelled ways to best finance and fund social housing, revealing that a capital investment strategy, supplemented by efficient financing, is substantially more cost-effective than a commercially-financed model reliant on an operating subsidy.

This research reviewed social housing tenancies law and policies in five jurisdictions, and national policy principles and frameworks relating to four types of vulnerable people: women affected by domestic violence; children; Indigenous persons; and people affected by alcohol and other drugs.

This study into the role of social housing as essential infrastructure assessed evaluation tools and techniques needed to enable investment by government. Cost-benefit analyses and business case preparation provide a means to quantify productivity, while the broader range of societal outcomes also needs to be considered.