About
The compelling value of social and affordable housing can now be quantified, thanks to an Australian first calculator that estimates wider social, economic and environmental benefit.
According to the SIGMAH calculator (Social Infrastructure and Green Measures for Affordable Housing) the 40,000 social and affordable homes to be constructed Commonwealth’s housing accord will create an additional $4.4 billion worth of wider benefit over the next decade.
It also provides monetary estimates of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and environmental benefits from provision of green spaces and access to transport options; as well as measuring the dollar value of lower CO₂ estimates due to the energy performance of new dwellings.
Senior Program Manager Homelessness & Affordable Housing Erin Dolan said that Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation provided a grant for the development of the calculator to recognise how data and technology could show the impact of quality affordable housing.
“It is a robust tool that will estimate Wider Social and Economic Benefits (WSEB) allowing decision-makers to understand how much less expenditure a government will incur in areas such as health, policing, and community services by making homes available to those who need them,” said Erin.