Episode 9: How Rooming Houses Could Help the Housing Crisis (If Policy Let Them) with Paul Zanetti

When more than 10,000 Australians experience homelessness every month and rental vacancy rates sit just above 1%, you would think every state would be doing everything possible to encourage affordable housing. The reality tells a different story.

In this episode, I am joined by Paul Zanetti, Founder and Director of Brisbane Rooming Houses, to explore a housing model that provides secure, executive-style studios (30-60 sqm) designed for long-term residents at a more affordable price than traditional rentals, featuring:

• Private ensuite and kitchenette
• All bills included (power, water, internet)
• Furnishings, air conditioning and digital security
• Communal spaces that encourage social connection and reduce isolation
• Rents around $400–$500 per week compared with $700+ for a typical one-bedroom apartment

There is strong demand for this housing, especially from low-income workers and vulnerable households, and half of all enquiries come from couples who could share costs at about $200 each per week. However, Queensland’s rules prohibit shared occupancy, creating another barrier to supply when affordability is already under pressure.

In the past five years, Queensland has gained about 146,000 new residents from other states, leading the nation in population growth. Yet it remains the only state charging up to $26,000 per room in infrastructure fees, rising by $2,000 each year, and adding more than $130,000 to a typical five-room project before construction even begins.

Our discussion explores:

• Whether infrastructure charges reflect genuine growth costs or are limiting new housing supply
• What Victoria and Western Australia are doing differently to attract investment and expand affordable options
• How ‘convenient living’ of accommodation can reduce rental stress and create faster pathways to housing
• The real cost of policy inaction and what reforms could make an immediate difference

Paul’s key message is clear: government and private providers need to work together. With 95% of Australia’s housing delivered by the private sector, supporting affordable models like rooming accommodation could make a meaningful difference fast.

🎧 Listen to Episode 9 to hear:

• How small regulatory changes could halve rent for many tenants
• Real examples of investment shifting between states
• What practical reforms could unlock thousands of affordable rooms
• Why renting out rooms without proper rooming or boarding certification can lead to planning breaches, insurance issues and tax liabilities

For so long, the focus has been on Airbnb reducing long-term rental supply, yet rooming accommodation is growing but restricted by policy inconsistencies, highlighting the need to consider whether housing policy should be consistent across the nation or responsive to state/territories plans.

#RoomingAccommodation #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #QueenslandHousing #UrbanPolicy #InfrastructureCharges