Open Discussion: Housing Affordability and Cost of Living

Housing affordability is one of Sydney’s defining challenges. Rising property prices, escalating rents, population growth, planning constraints, and infrastructure demands have combined to make secure, affordable housing increasingly difficult for many residents. For some, the solution lies in building more homes. For others, the issue is speculation, taxation, infrastructure funding, or the way land is used and valued.

At this Sydney Open Forum, we'll explore the causes and consequences of the housing crisis from multiple perspectives. Are current planning reforms enough? Should governments prioritise higher-density development? What role should investors, developers, and local councils play? How can Sydney remain a liveable city for young people, families, key workers, and retirees?

This will be an open, respectful, reasonable & and evidence-based discussion where participants are encouraged to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and consider practical solutions. Whether you see housing primarily as a social necessity, an economic asset, or a human right, this forum offers an opportunity to engage with one of the most important issues facing Sydney today.

Discussion questions:

Why has housing become so unaffordable in Sydney?
Is the problem a shortage of homes, a shortage of affordable homes, or something else?
Should Sydney continue to grow upwards, outwards, or both?
What policies could improve affordability without reducing quality of life?
How can the benefits of urban growth be shared more fairly?

Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the future of housing in Sydney and what can be done to ensure the city remains accessible, prosperous, and inclusive for all.