About the Book    

This is a story about how home ownership became unattainable for many and how by rethinking housing and our cities, the Australian Dream may once again be possible for future generations.  

Sergio Famiano, an urban enthusiast and practitioner, explores the history of the Australian Dream of home ownership—from its humble beginnings in colonial Australia to the current status symbol and national obsession we know today; from post-war paradise to suburban sprawl; from new family homes affordable on a single income to million dollar housing in most major cities that is unaffordable to most.  

The New Australian Dream explores the mounting health, environmental and economic ‘shadows’ that is spreading with the growth and cost of suburban ‘paradise’. The book explores the ‘headwinds facing the ‘Australian Dream’ and includes factors such as the demographic ‘time bomb’ and changing economic conditions which may prompt the realisation that property may not be as ‘safe as bricks and mortar’.  

But hope is offered through an alternative vision for the Australian Dream – through rethinking housing, urban design, transport, and Government policy.  

By reimagining the Australian Dream, we can make housing affordable for ourselves and for future generations.   

 The book is timely not only for the recent attention that housing affordability has received in the media, but also because this is an ongoing issue that won’t go away.