Ep. 181 - Asset Rich, Cashflow Poor: How Housing Design Is Failing Australians
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this episode of The HMO Property Show, Neil Gibb breaks down why Australia's housing crisis isn't just about population growth or supply shortages — it's about building the wrong type of housing for the people who actually live here.
Neil unpacks the growing disconnect between modern living patterns and outdated housing design, highlighting key data points:
Nearly 60% of renters are singles or couples without children, yet most new housing stock is still designed as large family homes.
Millions of bedrooms sit unused while families are priced out of rentals and vacancy rates remain at historic lows.
The episode explores how this mismatch is driving rental stress, social isolation, and inefficiency across the housing market — particularly for older Australians living alone, single women experiencing housing stress, and renters forced into oversized, unaffordable homes.
Neil explains why HMOs and co-living aren't a silver bullet, but are a critical part of the solution:
Better utilisation of existing housing stock
Lower per-person housing costs
Built-in community and reduced loneliness
Cashflow-positive assets for investors, even at principal and interest
The conversation also touches on the broader social impact of housing design, including mental health, loneliness, and dignity — and why housing policy must consider how people live, not just how many houses are built.
This episode is essential listening for investors, policymakers, and anyone who wants to understand why the housing crisis persists — and what actually needs to change to fix it.
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🛑 Disclaimer:
Nothing on this channel should be considered tax, financial, investment, or any kind of advice. Always do your own due diligence as only a professional diagnosis of your specific situation can determine which strategies are right for you. Our goal is to frequently feature actionable value, thought leadership, and property/investment strategies.
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In this episode of The HMO Property Show, Neil Gibb breaks down why Australia's housing crisis isn't just about population growth or supply shortages — it's about building the wrong type of housing for the people who actually live here. Neil unpacks the growing disconnect between modern living patterns and outdated housing design, highlighting key data points: Nearly 60% of renters are singles or couples without children, yet most new housing stock is still designed as large family homes. Millions of bedrooms sit unused while families are priced out of rentals and vacancy rates remain at historic lows. The episode explores how this mismatch is driving rental stress, social isolation, and inefficiency across the housing market — particularly for older Australians living alone, single women experiencing housing stress, and renters forced into oversized, unaffordable homes. Neil explains why HMOs and co-living aren't a silver bullet, but are a critical part of the solution: Better utilisation of existing housing stock Lower per-person housing costs Built-in community and reduced loneliness Cashflow-positive assets for investors, even at principal and interest The conversation also touches on the broader social impact of housing design, including mental health, loneliness, and dignity — and why housing policy must consider how people live, not just how many houses are built. This episode is essential listening for investors, policymakers, and anyone who wants to understand why the housing crisis persists — and what actually needs to change to fix it. 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! 👉 Want help with your investment strategy? Book a free, no-obligation chat with our team: Calendly – 15 min call 👉 Join our community: Perth HMO and High Cashflow Investment Properties Facebook Group Connect with The HMO Property Co: 🌐 Website: www.thehmopropertyco.com 📸 Instagram: @the_hmo_property_co 📘 Facebook: The HMO Property Co 🔗 LinkedIn: The HMO Property Co ▶️ YouTube: The HMO Property Co 🎵 TikTok: @thehmopropertyco_ 🎙️ Spotify: The HMO Property Show 🍏 Apple Podcasts: The HMO Property Show 🏘️ Living Rooms: livingrooms.com.au 🛑 Disclaimer: Nothing on this channel should be considered tax, financial, investment, or any kind of advice. Always do your own due diligence as only a professional diagnosis of your specific situation can determine which strategies are right for you. Our goal is to frequently feature actionable value, thought leadership, and property/investment strategies.