Housing crisis to deepen following Federal budget
Australia’s housing and rental crisis is likely to worsen in coming years and the Government has missed the opportunity to use the Federal budget to provide relief, say housing campaigners.
‘All signs indicate that people’s ability to afford a home will deteriorate further in coming years, so it is a disappointment that the Government has failed to include budget measures to ameliorate the crisis.’ said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
Final allocation of NRAS incentives announced, no plans for the future
Affordable housing campaigners are dismayed by the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, with no commitment to its future.
“The final round of funding, announced today, will provide much needed low-rent housing. Australia has a critical shortage of low-rent properties.” said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing.
“What was missing from Minister Butler’s announcement was a future for the program. Have we seen the final commitment to new affordable housing from this Government?”
“The National Rental Affordability Scheme is on track to deliver 40,000 new homes available to low-income people at below market rents, along with the additional 10,000 announced today. The program has been oversubscribed by investors and renters. It’s been a huge success story for this Government, providing new homes for pensioners, people with a disability, low-income workers and a high number of sole parents.”
“The Minister has said today that he’s aware of the concern that many Australians have about housing affordability. NRAS has been incredibly successful at delivering low rent properties, and the Government is aware of the housing crisis. So why do they refuse to commit to a future for NRAS?”
“Today the Minister announced the fifth of five rounds. After this round, that’s it. The Social Housing Initiative has closed, and after last of the NRAS program, there is no more funding tied to the delivery of new affordable housing.”
“Is the Government committed to a future for affordable housing? Or is NRAS to be abandoned?”
“We’ll be looking for an announcement about the future of NRAS in the budget next week. We’re hopeful that certainty will be provided to industry and to renters that the scheme will continue to be funded.”
Australians for Affordable Housing is a coalition of national housing, welfare and community sector organisations to highlight the problem of housing affordability in Australia. For more information visit www.housingstressed.org.au
For enquiries, case studies and interviews contact Joel Pringle, 0427 563 989
Follow AAH on Facebook and Twitter: @housingstressed
NSW Government cuts funding for affordable housing
The white paper into NSW planning system, released today, proposes to ban developer contributions for affordable housing, a key funding source used by a number NSW Councils to support low-income and vulnerable families in maintaining family and other supports in their local communities. Continue reading »
Government living on yesterday’s promises, says affordable housing group
On Wednesday 6 March, the Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness, the Hon Mark Butler, launched the new Evolve Housing facility in Parramatta. In doing so, the Minister demonstrated the Government’s lack of commitment to address the housing crisis in coming years.
‘The Government needs to stop trumpeting old programs and spent money. The people of Western Sydney deserve to hear what Labor would offer if given another term of governing. There seems to be no plan for the future.’ said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
Addressing national rental crisis must be Budget priority
Australians for Affordable Housing has today released their pre-budget submission, highlighting the increasing rental crisis and recommending that the Federal Government uses the Budget to provide relief from rental stress.
“The private rental market is not an affordable refuge from high house prices. For many it is a trap that they want to, but can’t, escape.” said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager of Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
First home owners pushed out
Today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics release of housing finance data shows that first home buyers are being left behind in the housing market, according to Australians for Affordable Housing.
“The months leading into the end of 2012 saw a marked decline in the proportion of first home buyers, compared to other home sales. Recent falls in interest rates seem to have benefited investors, but have left first home buyers cold.” Said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
Single Parent Payment cuts hit housing affordability
Australians for Affordable Housing has expressed concern over the ability of low-income single parent families to afford rent and housing costs after being moved from the Parent Payment Single welfare payment to the lower Newstart Allowance.
“It beggars belief that we can be having a national conversation about the inadequacy of Newstart, with politicians lining up to say that it is too low to live on, whilst at the same time we are forcing already vulnerable and disadvantaged families onto that very same payment.” said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
Housing crisis key to building trust amongst voters
With the election date announced and the major parties’ attention turning to the cost-of-living, housing can no longer be ignored, according to Australians for Affordable Housing.
‘If the Federal parties are serious about the cost-of-living, the first priority must be to address the housing crisis. If they offer a tweak here, and some rhetoric there, then voters shouldn’t take them seriously.’ said Joel Pringle, Campaign Manager for Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »
Young families increasingly reliant on insecure rental housing
New research by Australians for Affordable Housing has shown that parents with children are increasingly foregoing home ownership. Using census data, the research shows that there were almost 35,000 more Victorian families with children in rental accommodation in 2011 than there were in 2006. This represents an increase of 2.6 per cent in the rate of families in rental accommodation. Continue reading »
Housing inaction forces families to rely on homelessness support
New government research has shown the continued high demand for homelessness services in Australia, and highlighted the need for the Government to address the causes of pressure on homelessness services, according to Australians for Affordable Housing. Continue reading »