The ownership of many homes in Northern Ireland & Australia: issues for states and localities

Abstract

This paper examines new evidence relating to comparative aspects of the ownership and use of multiple residences in affluent societies, especially in Australia and Northern Ireland (NI). The paper assesses the extent of the ownership of second homes ('holiday homes' in Australia) based on data from two recent surveys: an omnibus survey by the NI Statistics and Research Agency and the 2007Australian Survey of Social Attitudes Survey (AuSSA). The paper suggests that 3-4 percent of households in both countries own holiday homes and/or dwellings used for other non-commercial purposes related to individual and household mobilities. We consider evidence indicating likely further growth of the ownership of many homes by affluent households, albeit in the changed context of a major downturn in many housing markets, including the UK and Ireland. We also review the relevance of these findings to issues and debates in both societies, especially relating to concerns of local government in regional Australia.