Key Issues and Limitations of the Policy
For analyzing housing strategy as a social policy, it is important to consider the wider aspects of public welfare, since housing is never limited to individual needs. The selected topic of the essay is Housing Strategy in South Australia and the following discussion will evaluate the academic literature published on the policy. For precision and accuracy, the review uses the WPR (What’s the problem represented to be?”) approach introduced by Carol Bacchi as a guide for the analysis. The topic focuses on the housing strategies of South Australia and how the social policy aims to contribute to the economic future of the region by building a concrete plan to make South Australia a more affordable and comfortable place to live in (Arthurson and Jacobs, 2004). Analyzing the topic through the six questions of Bacchi’s WPR would be helpful in the identification and representation of the implies problem, reveal the conditions that perpetuate a particular problem, consider and reflect on the silenced perspectives and identify the ways in which some representations of problems become dominant and the means of challenging these problem representations. Examining the selected policy with the six questions framed by Bacchi , the paper concludes with individual perspectives, some personal assumptions of the outcomes of the social policy.
- Addressing the opening question of Bacchi’s theory, the problem represented in the policy is that of housing affordability and the necessity to build a strong economy in the nation through housing services. The represented problem addresses the issue of the lack of adequate housing facilities that are not only affordable but also convenient. Further, the problems point out the requirement of improving affordability in the services of energy, water, health and transport. The availability of affordable houses also makes room for the possibility of building strong communities, the lack of which is a problem in some regions of South Australia. The policy represents these problems for reasoning their cause of the initiative. The accessibility to housing is one of the fundamental rights of all citizens, it falls under the duty of the government, and the policy makers to build houses that are sustainable for the economy and affordable for the people (Bacchi 2012). A well-functioning nation is built on strong communities, and the lack of proper housing facilities is one of the reasons why South Australia is deficit in communities who live in peace and harmony, working towards a brighter future for the economy of the nation. Moreover the housing industries would also provide employment to a wide array of potential citizens, raising the standard of living in the region. The problem represented to be in the policy is therefore not only concerned with the unavailability or limited availability of houses at affordable prizes, it is also about creating employment opportunities and raising the bar of quality lifestyle.
- The represented problems underlies several assumptions, as hinted in the discussion of the opening question. The problem assumes that the housing system in South Australia is unsustainable and that it is a hindrance in the development of strong communities within the province. The problems underlies that fact that the government does not involve in any direct investment for the vulnerable and the minorities in the community and that is precisely why the province has not been able to build a strong economy. The strategic priority of the policy is primarily to ensure that citizens have full access to houses that are convenient and affordable. The problem associated with the policy underlies how the government has perennially been nonchalant to housing facilities and the need for a renewed policy that would eradicate the problems of unaffordable houses and poor housing strategies. The high cost of housing imposes and upward pressure on salaries and wages jeopardizing the competitive position of native producers, especially the industries exposed to trade. It is increasingly difficult for people who work regular, average-paid jobs to keep paying the high housing rents, since they cannot avail the high-cost permanent residences. Local producers cannot invest more than an adequate amount for labor force and it is challenging for the laborers to keep up with the pressure of expensive housing and comparatively lower salaries. Further, a well-functioning system of housing aids in the development of a strong economy, boosts wealth creation, and underpins the competitiveness of the State by supporting the steady growth of population.
- The representation of the problem have come about to framing the strategic plan of South Australia, with the aspirations that the State ensure housing facilities that are productive and sustainable. The planning strategy has estimated the requirement of an additional 38,000 affordable homes in Adelaide and 7000 more new and affordable houses in the rural areas. Some findings also suggest the restriction on housing choices and a lack of dwellings which are located in convenient places, both for purchase and rental. Additionally, the availability of proper housing is also limited for the aging population or the ones who are living with disabilities. Since the initiative taken by government, community and private organizations has failed to address the problems of housing choice and affordability, it calls for an approach that is more sustainable in the housing policies of Australia. New and improved solutions are needed to be created by innovation and partnerships at the local levels. The aim is to create better opportunities and pathway for the aspiring house-owners in South Australia. Some of the innovation plans have already been executed. The providers of community housing will soon become one of the major suppliers of affordable housing to families with low incomes (Beer et al, 2012). The partnership between private and government organizations will engage creatively the providers of private housing industries and the different level of government for increasing the choice and supply of housing. For catering to the requirements of different kinds of families with different preferences and income levels, various industry providers are opting for innovating financing and designing along with establishing strategic partnerships with community and public housing providers.
- The fourth question of Bacchi’s approach focuses on the untouched areas of the problem representation and identifies the ways the problem can be viewed differently. The housing policy addresses some of the crucial problems associated with housing in South Australia, but some critical issues nonetheless. While affordability is a vital factor in the housing policy, the matter of safety is equally important when it comes to privately owned residences (Berry, 2001). The cheap cost of house, however, cannot come at the cost of safety. It must be scrutinized thoroughly that the cheaper rates are in fact not compromising with the quality of the building materials and jeopardizing the safety of the inhabitants. The policy has silenced the voices of the marginalized; the people who do not, or cannot belong to specific communities. For instance the individual LGBTQ people and the homeless children without a foster home. The problem could have been through about differently has the policy taken into consideration these problems. The policy only aims at making the housing facilities more affordable and sustainable, without considering the convenience and requirements of the marginalized crowd or the safety issues that might come with affordability. The strategies of the policy include planning of houses in the outskirts of the towns, in rural, remote areas. Robbery, murders, smuggling and rape are still prevalent in some of these areas although the policy remains silent about the dangers of building houses in remote areas.
- The policy has tactfully provided with authentic data as evidence to the effects produced by the representation of the problem. Some of the future possibilities indicate the development of housing strategies, community housing, private rental and renewal strategies. Community housing will transform from agency-based facilities to an expanding and sustainable sector and even emerge as one of the chief providers of social housing services. The community housing will form partnership and attract resourceful finances. The Housing SA via an evolving combined homelessness and housing system will facilitate housing solutions. This is for ensuring common points of access, support services for enabling better independence and greater choices across the nation. Renewal SA was created in 2012 marking the commitment to a properly planned and well-executed renewal in the urban area. This includes areas that are located in convenient and serviced areas, offering affordable options in housing. The property owners and tenants in the market of private rentals can avail better access to services and support through rental liaison programs and advanced regulations for contributing to the success of tenancies. The private rentals will shift from regulations to early identification and prevention of problems. Another aspect of development is the easy and ready accessibility to the correct information. People seeking assistance in housing, be it home purchase or in rental will be well able to access all the necessary information required for making the best and most suitable choice for themselves, and that too without the recounting the story several times (Forster, 2006). Households with low incomes and young people, aboriginals, elderly people and disabled people will be able to avail a larger diversity of affordable housing options and services concerning the same (Milligan et al, 2004). The members of the private society fail to perceive the goals of the planning strategies, hence new techniques and approaches of working with government, community and partners from other industries has to be developed for relieving the pressure on urban areas and supporting regional interiors for securing affordability in the long run.
- The sixth question of the WPR is the most essential and central to the approach. The representation of the problem have been defended and disseminated after being produced. A section of the housing policy discusses how the change in housing services will result to massive changes. The representation of the problem was produced at the very outset of the discussion, with the introduction of the housing policy. The problem is clearly the lack of adequate and affordable housing facility, the veneration of the problem emerges the development of strategic planning in housing policy (Palmer et al, 2004). It is spread through the recognition of the ensuing issues that comes with the lack of suitable lodgings and the identification of the government’s indifference and non-involvement in the development of the housing policies. Something that cannot be undermined is the fact that the problem can be replaced, disrupted and questioned on various grounds. The policy can be questioned in terms of the security it provides to the residents, it can be disrupted on the grounds that it interferes too much with the privacy of the inhabitants and it can be replaced with better and more effective strategy that includes the requirements of majorities and minorities alike. The represented problem addresses some of the most vital issues that must be looked into in an emerging socio-economic world, but the framework of the policy fails to identify some core problems associated with the problem of housing. All policies should be analyzed, examines and thoroughly scrutinized through the critical eye before put to practical exercise.
Bacchi includes an eighth and final question in the approach which allows the policy analyst to present individual perceptions on the policy. A personal opinion on the strategies developed by the policy is that it is highly beneficial for a certain segment of the society, that is the middle class, who struggles with rents and limited incomes, but it does chooses not to consider the poor and the homeless, who do not have adequate funds to support housing. Also, the policy states everything about the lack of availability or unavailability of houses but says nothing about the maintenance of the same. Permanent residents have to be maintained regularly and the cost of the maintenance is often sky-high and can get difficult for the middle-class families. Apart from security issues, which the policy carelessly ignores in the strategy discussion, the policy says nothing or very little about crucial aspects of housing like security, maintenance and community acceptance of minorities. Also, it must be noted that the constant emphasis on community build-up might and promoter assisted housing facilities compromises a lot with privacy of the inhabitants.
References:
Arthurson, K., & Jacobs, K. (2004). A critique of the concept of social exclusion and its utility for Australian social housing policy. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 39(1), 25-40.
Bacchi, C. (2012). Introducing the “What’s the Problem Represented to be?” Approach. Engaging with Carol Bacchi: Strategic interventions and exchanges, 21-24.
Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Approaches to gender mainstreaming: What’s the problem represented to be?. University of Adelaide Press.
Beer, A., Kearins, B., & Pieters, H. (2007). Housing affordability and planning in Australia: the challenge of policy under neo-liberalism. Housing studies, 22(1), 11-24.
Berry, M. (2001, May). New approaches to expanding the supply of affordable housing in Australia: an increasing role for the private sector. In National Housing Conference (pp. 24-26).
Berry, M. (2003). Why is it important to boost the supply of affordable housing in Australia—and how can we do it?. Urban Policy and Research, 21(4), 413-435.
Berry, M., & Dalton, T. (2004). Housing prices and policy dilemmas: a peculiarly Australian problem?. Urban Policy and Research, 22(1), 69-91.
Forster, C. (2006). The challenge of change: Australian cities and urban planning in the new millennium. Geographical research, 44(2), 173-182.
Johnson, G., Parkinson, S., & Parsell, C. (2012). Policy shift or program drift? Implementing Housing First in Australia. AHURI Final Report, (184), 1-21.
Milligan, V., Phibbs, P., Fagan, K., & Gurran, N. (2004). A practical framework for expanding affordable housing services in Australia: learning from experience.
Minnery, J., & Greenhalgh, E. (2007). Approaches to homelessness policy in Europe, the United States, and Australia. Journal of Social Issues, 63(3), 641-655.
Palmer, C., Ziersch, A., Arthurson, K., & Baum, F. (2004). Challenging the stigma of public housing: preliminary findings from a qualitative study in South Australia. Urban Policy and Research, 22(4), 411-426.
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