Sizing up new housing in Victoria: An interdisciplinary perspective on housing sufficiency - Conference Presentation

<p dir="ltr">Conference presentation. Abstract: This study seeks to stimulate discussion on metrics for evaluating housing sufficiency. As sufficiency aims to minimise energy and material demand while ensuring essential living standards, achieving Australia’s housing targets will necessitate balancing space allowances and social objectives. However, sufficiency has thus far received scant attention in housing policies, and there is limited understanding of how homes in Victoria adhere to sufficiency principles and how these are influenced by socioeconomic factors. The study examined the relationship between space allowances (m²/person) and social status. FirstRate5 certificate data for 334,077 houses/townhouses and 65,779 apartments across Victoria, Australia, were compared with the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Index of Economic Resources and Social (Dis)advantage’s decile rankings at the postcode level. The results showed that social status was positively associated with space allowance in both types of dwellings. Kitchens, total living areas, and floor space for ensuite bathrooms or walk-in wardrobes were considerably larger in houses than in apartments or those considered in social housing design guidelines. Generally, space allowances in new Victorian homes were relatively generous and may be seen as excessive or unfair. Given the variety of construction materials, there is a need for new housing indicators that incorporate environmental and social metrics.</p>