Episode 1.9: How Rooming Houses Could Help the Housing Crisis (If Policy Let Them) with Paul Zanetti

When more than 10,000 Australians experience homelessness every month and rental vacancy rates sit just above 1%, you would think every state would be doing everything possible to encourage affordable housing. The reality tells a different story.

In this episode, I am joined by Paul Zanetti, Founder and Director of Brisbane Rooming Houses, to explore rooming accommodation as an affordable housing option. The model provides long-term studios of 30 to 60 sqm with private amenities, furnishings and bills included, with rents around $400 to $500 per week compared with over $700 for a typical one-bedroom apartment.

Key questions explored:

• Could rooming accommodation help expand affordable rental supply?
• Why does Queensland prohibit shared occupancy when half of enquiries come from couples?
• Are infrastructure charges of up to $26,000 per room limiting new housing supply?
• What are Victoria and Western Australia doing differently to attract investment?
• Which regulatory changes could reduce rental stress and unlock more affordable rooms?

The discussion also considers certification risks, policy inconsistencies and why government and private providers need to work together, with 95% of Australia’s housing delivered by the private sector.

#RoomingAccommodation #AffordableHousing #HousingSupply #QueenslandHousing #InfrastructureCharges