Opinion: Federal budget building blitz - 'The crisis is here and now'

Budget night in my house means Caramello Koalas (incentives to make my children watch it), cups of tea (soothing) and a nerdy sense of anticipation (me and my actuarial husband).

At first glance, the plan by the government to tackle the affordability crisis in Australia was heartily welcomed and applauded. And the declaration to build more houses? Terrific – tick. And one million of them – now you’re talking!

But it didn’t take long for the naysayers to retort that it’s not enough, that it’s a target with no plan and most cuttingly, that it’s actually already been done over the past five years. And, well, 2029 is another seven years away while the issue, which is actually a crisis, is here and now.

I get it. It is not a silver bullet and it is not enough. But, without trying to sound like Pollyanna, I’m settling on the fact that something is better than nothing.

For too long, housing affordability has been this country’s Achilles’ heel. The ache and pain of not being able to afford one’s own home is etched on the faces of many. The stress that comes with the instability and uncertainty of not owning is everywhere. Ultimately, the security and sense of place that home ownership can give is missing in too many people.

And it is getting worse. The problem has spread to the rental market, which is in a new kind of inferno, with record-high rents and the lowest vacancy rates our country has ever seen.

Something must change. We know that increasing the number of houses available will go an enormous way to feeding the demand of many Australians. Upping supply will also assist in keeping a lid, albeit a soft one, on prices.

We have to start somewhere. Surely the fact that the government has announced a huge and ambitious project and does at least have a broad plan – the government and the states will come together, along with industry and investors to build more houses, is a step in the right direction.

Yes, they’re going to need a big round table. Yes, they will have to ensure the willingness and support of local councils to release land. Yes, it will have to be in the right areas. And yes, it will absolutely not be enough to solve the problem, but it may well be the first step into the triage line.