Experts suggest new form of ‘tax’ to ease housing crisis

Analysis has found 7.4 million Australians live in homes with more bedrooms than they need which has sparked suggestions of an ’empty bedroom tax’ to ease the housing crisis.

Managing director of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Michael Fotheringham, say while the 2021 census revealed some Australians live in homes with more rooms than necessary but they aren’t always “empty.”

“They being used in other ways, they’re a home office, particularly in the pandemic, rooms got converted into home offices … I don’t think there’s a strong case for a bedroom tax,” he told Tom Elliott.

Press PLAY to hear the new tax being suggested to ease the housing crisis

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