The Federal Government’s $10 billion commitment to the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) and its associated National Partnership payments has been welcomed by the Residential Development Council.
Caryn Kakas, executive director of the Residential Development Council, said the commitment, announced following the COAG meeting on 29 November, represents a holistic approach to the spectrum of housing affordability issues facing Australians today.
The agreement recognises for the first time that experiences with housing affordability are greatly varied and that the approaches needed must be diverse in their delivery. From homelessness to home ownership, the role of government is to seek innovative solutions to these complex problems, and the new agreement captures this understanding.
“The government has recognised that providing greater public and social housing will increase the much needed supply of houses and improve the future outlook for struggling Australians. The social housing sector has a major role to play in providing low-cost rental accommodation and alleviating rental un-affordability,” Ms Kakas said.
“It is vital that the social housing sector’s capacity be strengthened. The commitment to reforms of the system they operate within, including greater national consistency of their regulatory environment, will do just that. Building transparency and capacity into this sector ensures that the development sector will continue to be able to partner with the community sector to deliver better outcomes.”
Ms Kakas applauded the State and Territory Governments’ commitment to publicly report on their performance on housing affordability in key areas of homelessness, indigenous housing, affordable rental, affordable home purchase and the efficiency and responsiveness of the housing market.
“Governments need to identify, measure and report against a range of affordability markers to ensure that these initiatives are successful in improving housing affordability.”
Media Contacts:
Caryn Kakas, Executive Director, Residential Development Council on
0404 257 540
Kate Ellis Welsh, PR & Communications Manager, Residential Development Council on 0438 760 206
Ms Kakas further commended Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments for committing to planning reforms for greater efficiency in the supply of housing.
Ms Kakas said the commitment complements and reinforces the Federal Government’s other policies that are critical to solving Australia’s housing affordability crisis.
“The National Affordable Housing Agreement will work in conjunction with the National Rental Affordability Scheme, the National Housing Supply Council, First Home Saver Accounts, the additional First Home Owners Grants, and the Housing Affordability Fund to get the nation back on track to achieving affordable housing for all Australians,” she said.
