Pathways to regional housing recovery from COVID-19

Introduction

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia in early March 2020 has had significant effects on all households, but also uneven ones, depending on factors such as employment, income, housing tenure, family composition, age or health profiles, or whether households are located in city or regional (including rural) areas. This report examines the consequences of COVID-19 for households in regional areas. There are a range of specific social and economic factors associated with regional habitation in Australia. We argue that recovery needs in regional communities will differ from those of large cities, and situated understandings of those needs will be crucial for policy makers if they are to effectively shape conditions under which regions can best recover.