Social housing expert panel established to advise on future reforms

The Australian Government today announced the establishment of expert panel to advise the Government on improving the current social housing system and how best to provide housing assistance for Australians in need.

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib announced the Committee, to be Chaired by Dr Jeff Harmer AO, at a forum for housing reform in Melbourne, held by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

Senator Arbib said the committee would advise on how to boost the supply of social housing for Australians in need and how to ensure that support for tenants was effective and equitable.

“For too long, the social housing system has been inadequate and it is time for governments of all levels to work together to reform social housing,” Senator Arbib said.

“Social housing is intended to be an effective safety net for Australians in need of support and help them to get back onto their feet – but there is a need for reform.

“The Federal Labor Government has provided the largest single investment in social housing in history, investing $6 billion to build more than 21,000 new social housing dwellings. More than 16,000 are now complete.

“However, we have come off a history of extreme underinvestment and neglect of social housing, with 33,000 public housing dwellings lost to stock in the decade prior to 2007.”

Minister Arbib said committee members provided a breadth of knowledge and experience about housing, including backgrounds in finance, affordable housing, public housing and tenant needs.

“Innovative solutions for the future are required if we are to meet the shortfall of around 150,000 social housing homes by 2020,” Senator Arbib said.

“There are currently more than 60,000 households in greatest need on social housing waiting lists around the country, many of whom are waiting up to two years to be allocated a home.

“It is unacceptable that many Australians are without access to basic, affordable housing and it is my priority to ensure governments, the community housing sector, private financial institutions, and tenants’ organisations are working together to deliver a strong, sustainable future for social housing.”

The Australian Government provides more than $20 billion in investment for housing affordability, including $6.2 billion to the states and territories under the National Affordable Housing Agreement to support the management of social housing.
 

Social Housing Advisory Committee members