Rental crisis in regional cities prompts rethinking of moves

James Cook University researchers say Cairns is a prime example of a regional city where the rental housing crisis is making people who have moved to the city rethink their choice—and they say city planners must act if regional areas want such people to stay.

Rana Dadpour is a Research Fellow at JCU’s Cairns Institute. She led a study now published in Australian Planner in which she interviewed people who moved to Cairns between 2016 and 2021.

“The group we looked at were ‘amenity migrants.’ Unlike economic migrants, amenity migrants are often driven by non-economic factors, including the desire for a better lifestyle. They are typically well-educated, mobile individuals who have the flexibility to choose where they live,” said Dr. Dadpour.

She said Cairns exemplifies a prime destination for amenity migrants, but many reported struggles with rental housing affordability, suitability and availability.

“We found many amenity migrants in Cairns face problems in the rental market, often leading to compromises in their living conditions and a sense of frustration and uncertainty. This negatively impacts their sense of belonging and overall life satisfaction,” said Dr. Dadpour.

She said the study reveals housing insecurity can prompt amenity migrants to consider moving again, as they seek more stable and affordable housing options elsewhere.

“We need a holistic understanding of the housing needs of amenity migrants and the development of a different approach by town planners,” said Dr. Dadpour.

She said planners should consider implementing a range of policy measures beyond traditional zoning and land-use planning—for example, incentivizing the development of diverse housing types and tenures, such as density bonuses, co-housing and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

“Streamlining planning approval processes for innovative housing models can encourage their development. Planners should also work in collaboration with other stakeholders, such as community organizations and social service providers.

“By adopting a proactive and inclusive approach, grounded in practical examples and informed by research, planners can contribute to the development of more sustainable and equitable communities in regional cities like Cairns,” said Dr. Dadpour.