NSW Tenancy Law Reform
The Department of Fair Trading’s call for submissions in response to the Residential Law Reform: A New Direction Report closed on December 31st 2007. There were 102 proposals for reform to the 1987 NSW Residential Tenancy Act. Feedback on the progress of the review will be provided by the Office of Fair Trading later in the year. Click here to download a copy of the 63 page report from the Department of Fair Trading website.

Release of Second Round Growth Provider Tender
Following the initial appointment of two Growth Providers in December last year, the Office of Community Housing has been preparing specifications for another tender to appoint further Growth Providers. The specifications for this Second Round Growth Provider tender have been finalised and the tender is now being released to selected, qualified providers. Current Growth Providers are ineligible to apply.
If your organisation has been identified as a suitably qualified organisation to be invited to submit a response to this Second Round Tender. This is because your organisation is a registered A grade provider with over 200 capital properties, or has associated entities which meet these requirements. 
Here are links to: Second Round Growth Provider Tender Specifications, Housing NSW's standard Conditions of Tendering, and an Application Form. Applications should be emailed to tenders@housing.nsw.gov.au  The closing date for tender applications is 4.00pm 28 March 2008.

Growth providers announced 
Affordable Community Housing Ltd and St George Community Housing Co-operative were both appointed as growth providers as a result of a recent tender.  These providers will each convert 200 existing leases into 35-year leases to provide an income stream that supports investment in further housing.  In addition, they will manage a high proportion of new supply in the metropolitan area and start work towards managing and developing their own properties.
The Office of Community Housing will release another tender shortly to appoint additional (second round) growth providers.  This provides an opportunity for both those who submitted for the first tender and others to become growth providers for the upcoming period. 

Successful Debt Equity 2 tenderers announced
In the second round of funding under the Affordable Housing Innovations Fund, Cumberland Housing Co-operative Limited (12), Western Suburbs Housing Cooperative Ltd (8) and South West Inner Sydney Housing Cooperative Limited (6) have been successful in receiving funding to purchase a total of 26 homes in the Sydney Area. Compass Housing Services and Community Housing Limited have been selected as preferred tenderers (pending further project approval) for their proposals to build 11 homes in Cessnock and 8 homes in Maroubra.
24 of the 45 affordable rental units will be reserved for public housing eligible clients.

Planning for the Future 5 year strategy for community housing launched
Following a period of consultation on the draft strategy in June, the final community housing strategy was launched by the Minister for Housing the Hon. Matt Brown at the sectors 25th Anniversary celebrations on the 29th November.  The Office of Community housing will now focus on the development of a detailed action plan setting out timelines and responsibilities for rolling out the strategy. Work on the action plan is expected early in the New Year. See Report

Community Housing Amendments passed by Parliament
The amendment to the Housing Act to recognise and regulate community housing was passed by both houses of parliament on 24th October.  The amendments cover the appointment of a Registrar, recognition of community housing, and government assistance. More info

Federal Initiatives signal big changes in affordable housing
Labor proposes investment incentives in affordable rental. Rudd Affordability Summit / Labor Rental Investment Scheme

You can help create a fair go for all Australians... A new initiative Australia Fair provides all Australians with tools to read, discuss and act on fairness – particularly Fair Housing.  http://www.australiafair.org.au/public/Default.aspx

Partnerships
More and more housing associations are forming partnerships with the private sector and other agencies.  See the partnerships page and resources.