BABY BOOMERS BUSTING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Baby Boomers are almost twice as likely to resist new low rise housing development compared to young adults, putting a handbrake on solving the nation’s housing crisis.
A survey from non-partisan philanthropic foundation The Susan McKinnon Foundation reveals 32 per cent of NSW residents in Gen Z want to see more 1-3 storey apartments in their local area.
This compares to 18 per cent of Baby Boomers and only 7 per cent of the Post War generation.
Housing Now Chair and Business Western Sydney Executive Director David Borger said the data underlines the pressing need for a shift in the mindset of older generations:
“There is no doubt that older generations have been traditionally resistant to new housing – and this needs to end,”
Mr Borger, a former NSW housing minister, said. “The reality is that the golden generation of property ownership has been kind to baby boomers and their parents, but not to those below them.
“Baby boomers have a social responsibility to support more housing development in their area to allow the next generation to live close to work, family, and amenity.”
The survey reveals terraces and townhouses are the most favoured options for increased housing density, followed by 1-3 storey apartment blocks.
Both options are considerably more popular than 9+ story apartment buildings.
Nationally, 27 per cent of respondents desire more terraces and townhouses, with only 21 per cent wanting fewer (+6 per cent net preference).
Meanwhile, 12 per cent of participants express a preference for more 9+ storey apartments in their local areas, while 46 per cent favour fewer (-34 per cent net preference).
Matt Crocker, Program Lead at McKinnon Poll, said their research “reveals pockets of opportunity for Governments to address the housing crisis”.
“While there are some NIMBYs, there is good support for delivering more housing. There’s public support for more human-scale density,” Mr Crocker said.
“Terraces, townhouses, and smaller apartment blocks are much more publicly acceptable.”
Media Contact: Trish Marinozzi | trish.marinozzi@businesswesternsydney.com | 0415 272 303
About Housing Now!
Housing Now! is an alliance of industry bodies, unions, councils, and community groups committed to being a voice for future generations who may never be able to afford to buy a home in Sydney. The group knows that the status quo is not working which is why is committed to championing bold new ideas with practical actions that will make a difference. The Chair, David Borger has extensive firsthand experience on housing matters having been a former Lord Mayor of Parramatta and a NSW Minister for Housing,
