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Home ownership rates provide a measure of housing availability and affordability by comparing tenure types, that is, whether owning or buying one's home or renting. "Affordable, appropriate, secure and accessible housing is crucial to people's quality of life and is the cornerstone of sustainable communities. It is fundamental to people's ability to maintain good health and well-being, and to access life opportunities such as education and employment" (Shelter Tasmania Inc. 2001). Consequently, housing is an important factor in the social capital of a community and home ownership is an indicator of social and economic stability. The 1996 Census reported that over two-fifths (42.4%) of the occupied private dwellings in Tasmania were fully owned by their occupants, an increase from 41.8% in 1991. The highest home ownership level in both 1996 (49.2%) and 1991 (50.1%) was in rural areas. In 32 of the State's 99 urban centres and localities, at least half of the occupied private dwellings were fully owned. Ross (66.1%), Bracknell (65.1%) and Queenstown (62.1%) recorded the highest rates of home ownership. Over a quarter (27.0%) of the private dwellings were being purchased by their occupants, a slight decrease from 27.6% in 1991. However, rural areas (excluding urban centres and localities) recorded an increase of 21.1%. These areas also registered the highest proportion of dwellings being purchased in 1996 (29.7%), while the major urban areas recorded the lowest (25.8%). This was the opposite of 1991, when they recorded the highest proportion (28.7%) and rural areas the lowest (26.8%). The highest percentages of homes being purchased were documented in Old Beach (65.8%), Seven Mile Beach (52.8%), Hadspen (47.3%) and Collinsvale (46.2%). In 1996, about a quarter (26.3%) of occupied private dwellings in Tasmania was being rented (25.3% in 1991), with the major urban areas recording the highest proportion in both census years (30.6% and 28.8% respectively). The urban areas/localities that recorded the highest percentages of rented dwellings were Bridgewater-Gagebrook (68.2%), Currie (42.4%) and Waratah (41.9%) (ABS 1996). This indicator necessitates the tracking of changes in both home ownership rates and numbers of renters in order to measure changes in availability and affordability. High levels of outright home ownership are indicative of the affordability of housing as well as reflecting the success of government policies that facilitate access to finance and encourage the home building industry. However, this indicator does not provide information on locational advantage/disadvantage-that is, whether housing is located in close proximity to employment, educational and other necessary facilities. Nor does the indicator furnish information on the adequacy, comfort and safety of accommodation. Home ownership, Tasmania Owned Being purchased Rented Other Total No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 1911 15,848 40.7 1,558 4.0 19,457 50.0 2,087 5.4 38,950 100.0 1921 16,851 37.9 4,364 9.8 19,037 42.8 4,180 9.4 44,432 100.0 1933 29,266 41.8 3,975 8.2 20,165 41.6 4,073 8.4 48,479 100.0 1947 28,377 46.2 4,140 6.7 26,077 42.4 2,868 4.7 61,462 100.0 1954 38,436 49.5 9,810 12.6 26,991 34.8 2,410 3.1 77,647 100.0 1966 n.a. n.a. 68,363
69.6 (a) 27,092 27.6 2,827 2.9 98,282 100.0 1976 38,852 31.9 44,432 36.5 29,638 24.3 8,910 7.3 121,832 100.0 1986 58,157 39.1 47,588 32.0 36,747 24.7 6,307 4.2 148,799 100.0 1991 67,915 41.8 44,963 27.6 40,931 25.2 8,512 5.3 162,321 100.0 1996 74,260 42.4 47,273 27.0 46,142 26.3 7,519 4.3 175,195 100.0 2001 75,331 41.6 51,149 28.2 43,647 24.1 11,039 6.1 181,166 100.0 (a) These data combine the numbers owned and numbers being purchased. Source: ABS 2001a A graphical presentation of this data can be found by clicking here. Sustainable Measures |
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