Could pandemic construction slump be chance to boost social housing?

Despite the social chaos caused by the pandemic, a report out this morning says the construction industry is recovering from the COVID-induced recesssion.

But a big oversupply of city apartments has put downward pressure on rents - though that reprieve could be short lived.

The National Housing Finance & Investment Corporation - the federal government's "affordable housing" agency - has produced a five year projection for housing supply and demand across major cities and regional areas

It's found the pandemic has caused the biggest shock to population growth since early last century and says international restrictions, an exodus of foreign students will free up around 200,000 extra homes over the next two years.

Hugh Hartigan, the affordable housing agency's head of research, sees an opportunity to tweak policy settings, and to challenge social norms that push back against development.

He tells me now could be the time for governments both state and federal to build more social housing.