THE federal government is continuing to shape its National Housing and Homelessness Plan, launching its Issues paper to mark Homelessness Week.
The federal government’s plan is being developed in close collaboration with both state, territory and local government associations, to establish a shared national vision on how best to address the housing crisis and how to support the increasing numbers of people experiencing housing stress and homelessness.
With local governments, not‑for‑profits, civil society organisations, industry bodies, superannuation funds and others in housing, finance and urban development are invited to take part in informing the plan.
“Too many people are struggling to find a safe and affordable place to buy, to rent or to spend the night,” said Julie Collins, minister for housing.
“Through the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, we will set out how these issues can be tackled head on by governments across the country with short, medium and long term reforms.”
According to a recent report from Homelessness Australia, between December and March an additional 6,658 people sought out homelessness assistance in Australia, as rent hikes and record low vacancies pushes many into crisis.
With June analysis from the Council to Homeless Persons, reporting a 24% overall increase over the last five years and one in two areas experiencing growth of more than 20% in Victoria.
Victoria also has the greatest homelessness population by state and is leaving more people at risk of homelessness with the lowest social housing stock in the nation.
The Property Council of Australia has come out in support of the plan to create a national approach to homelessness and housing affordability, again emphasising the importance of enhancing supply.
“The federal government are leaning into the challenge. They understand that Australia’s housing future must be defined by a targeted boost in the supply of new homes and better planning systems for our cities,” said Mike Zorbas, chief executive of the Property Council of Australia.
“We welcome Housing Minister Julie Collins’ recognition that NHHA goals require government and stakeholder collaboration given the property industry’s leadership role in creating our cities.”
In the Property Council’s review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA), the Productivity Commission highlighted importance of housing targets and planning reforms to encourage increased density and a broader range of housing options.
“We have failed to plan for clever, transport-oriented density across our cities and, given our twentieth century national tax system, have put far too many new taxes directly on investment in and delivery of new homes at the state and local level,” added Zorbas.
“We also need more encouragement of clever communities that bring together private and government services near public transport, such as retirement living, purpose-built student accommodation and build-to-rent housing.
“The first step on this long journey remains the long overdue passage of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) through the Senate. The HAFF is the launching pad Australia needs to start closing our national housing deficit,” he said.