Friday October 01, 2021

Affordable housing underfunded

National

A gap in funding for community housing providers has been identified by the St Vincent de Paul Society in its submission to a Federal Government inquiry into housing affordability and supply.

Friday October 01, 2021

Friday October 01, 2021 Comments

Comments Print article

Claire Victory, national president of the Society, said the size of the funding gap depends on a number of issues, including whether community housing providers already own land that can be assigned to new housing.

“The Society currently holds land in some places but requires funding to progress the development of new dwellings,” she said.

“State and territory governments have recently handed down budgets with variable commitments to increase social, community and affordable housing and the Commonwealth, at the very least, should be matching the funding.”

The Society is calling for a national housing strategy to be developed by an independent authority to address the chronic and growing shortage of affordable housing in Australia.

“Every day we see evidence that access to safe and affordable housing leads to increased individual and community wellbeing, as well as better outcomes in health, education and employment, and economic and social participation,” Ms Victory said.

In its submission the National Council calls for:

• A National Housing Strategy developed with key stakeholders and endorsed by all jurisdictions
• A review of Commonwealth Rent Assistance to ensure it is appropriately targeted and funded
• Alternatives to the National Rental Affordability Scheme as it gradually winds up to full closure in 2026
• All governments to commit to recommendations in Australia’s Infrastructure Plan 2021 concerning social and affordable housing
• Government funding incentives and targeted assistance to encourage community housing provider investment in new community and affordable housing
• National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation to extend the term of its loans (to 25 years), limit General Service Agreements to the project being funded and reduce fees and charges.
• A reform agenda for the National Regulatory System for Community Housing to address the findings contained in its Review Report and done in consultation with key stakeholders, especially Indigenous Community Housing Providers.

Vinnies has invited members of the committee to visit one of the Society’s many community housing projects. A copy of the submission is available here.