ALGA has partnered with the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) and National Shelter to call for funding in the 2023-24 Federal Budget to help address Australia’s affordable and social housing crisis.
Local government is seeking $100 million per year over four years from the Federal Government to assist councils to facilitate more affordable and social housing across the nation.
ALGA Vice President Mayor Matt Burnett said Australia’s 537 councils play a key role in facilitating affordable and social housing but could do much more with better funding partnerships.
“As a signatory to the National Housing Accord, ALGA is working collaboratively towards a national response to the worsening housing crisis,” Mayor Burnett said.
“The Government has set an ambitious target of delivering one million new homes from 2024, but this needs to be supported with funding that will enable councils to invest in the physical and social infrastructure necessary for healthy communities.
“Many councils across the country are already investing in innovative affordable housing solutions tailored to the needs of their local communities but more support is needed.”
ALGA is asking for $100 million per year over four years to help councils undertake activities that support additional housing in their communities. For example, this could include land audits, housing assessments, partnership development, development of innovative models and business cases for housing construction, and community engagement and awareness campaigns.
The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) CEO Wendy Hayhurst said: “This proposal will help to get the best results from the Housing Australia Future Fund, by building on the strong partnerships that already exist between Community Housing Organisations and councils and speed up delivery of the right homes in the right places.”
National Shelter CEO Emma Greenhalgh said: “National Shelter and the Shelter network know that local government are critical partners to address the housing crisis.”