New Community Housing Regulation proclaimed (4 May 09)
The new Regulation encompassing the Regulatory Code came into effect on the 1st May 2009. This code will now apply to all registered community housing providers, and the Registrar now has the power to investigate. Assessments of all community housing providers will commence on July 1 and continue over the next two years. See copy of Regulation. For more information about Registration see www.rch.nsw.gov.au.
All round one applicants under NRAS have now been announced (6 April 09)
The Federal government has now announced all successful tenderers under round one of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Nationally, 3899 applicants were successful - 1074 of which came from NSW. There were 15 successful NSW applicants, five under NRAS A and 11 under NRAS B. There was reportedly strong interest in Round 2 of the scheme which closed on 27 March.
For further information about NSW see here or national outcomes see here.
Federation gives evidence to Inquiry into homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation
To see submission. (6 April 09)
NSW Housing Associations respond to Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Members of the Federation, and individual staff, have donated $6000 to the Red Cross 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal through the Federation's special appeal. Individual associations have also donated.
Special HAM
Watch video of special Housing Associations Meeting held 24th February 2009. (26 Feb 09)
25 Years of Housing Associations
Watch video of '25 Years of Housing Associations in NSW' - (from 25 yr party November 2007). (26 Feb 09)
$6.388 billion in funding for social housing announced! (2 Feb 09)
Federal government today announced $6.388 billion to be spent on social housing as part of and economic stimulus package
The $6.388 billion will be spent over the next 4 years to fund the construction of 20,000 new public and community housing dwellings to be completed by 2010.
$260 million of this will be apportioned in 2008-09; $4,072 million in 2009-10; $1744 million in 2010-11; and $312 million in 2011-12. Go to the Treasury website for more information.
2009 Training Information- now available (5 Dec 2008)
Statutory consultation on Regulatory Code
The consultation on the Housing Regulation 2008 have been completed. The amendments to the Code are now being considered. More info (5 Dec 2008) For the Federation submission see -submission.
Tax Office threat to charitable status averted for now
After intensive lobbying by the Federation and CHFA, a temporary change to the Tax Act will protect the charitable tax status of community housing providers who take part in the NRAS. The announcement by the Treasurer protects existing charities for the first phase of NRAS (link to media statement). This means that a proper long term solution will still have to be sought through the Henry Review of the overall Tax Act. Both CHFA and the Federation will continue to lobby to get a long term solution.
National Rental Affordability Scheme Bill passes the Senate
The NRAS Bill passed the Senate on Monday 24th November after an Inquiry by the Senate Community Affairs Committee. The Federation prepared a submission and presented evidence to the Inquiry (link to our submission) The Senate Inquiry’s report on the Bill has recommended that it be passed (link to report). However, it was touch and go while a solution to the risk that community housing providers who participated could loose their charitable tax status was being negotiated.
The announcement of successful NRAS applicants is expected in the week beginning 1st December.
The NRAS incentive is be made up of $6,000 per property per year for ten years from the Commonwealth (as a tax credit or a grant for not-for-profits) and $2,000 a year (in cash or kind) from States. The second Call for Applications for incentives in the Establishment Phase, Round 2, is due to be issued soon. http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/housing/nras.htm
To apply in NSW: http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/Centre+For+Affordable+Housing/NRAS/
NRAS is a key part of a package of changes introduced by the Federal Government to tackle housing affordability and homelessnesshttp://www.facsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/housing/haf.htm http://www.alp.org.au/media/0508/mshouia130.php
Community housing rents changed
The government rent policy determining how community housing rents are set has changed. Community housing rents for new tenants have risen from July 1. Most of this increase will be offset by an increase in the tenant’s entitlement to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA). Existing tenants’ rents will increase following their next scheduled rent review.
The new rents will be calculated based on a combination of 25% of ‘assessable’ household income, 15% of Family Tax Benefit, and 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance Entitlements (as long as the new rent is not more than market rent).
The new rent will mean a net increase in housing costs (after taking the increase in CRA into account) for most current tenants. This will be phased in over a number of years.
While the Federation welcomes the general approach to ensure stronger income streams which will allow associations to provide more housing opportunities for future tenants, we have expressed strong concerns to government about the impact on current tenants.
National Regulatory Framework made public
After confidential work for the past couple of years, the report and outline of a national framework through which affordable housing providers can be consistently registered across jurisdictions has been made public. States and territories have outlined their implementation plans to move towards the national approach and may soon agree to an MOU to provide more certainty. (http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/528AF50D-02B0-4AF1-9E7A-632F791DD40E/0/NatRegFrameworkProposalwithinsertforAttachment22.pdf)
2008 NSW Community Housing Conference - Conference papers now available.
NSW Awards for Excellence in Community Housing 2008 - winners
Partnerships
More and more housing associations are forming partnerships with the private sector and other agencies. To assist with NRAS proposals the Federal Government has appointed Partnership facilitators. The Community Housing Federation of Australia (CHFA) has been appointed as a national facilitator and the NSW Federation will be CHFA’s agent in NSW. MacroPlan has also been appointed as the NSW partnership facilitator. See the partnerships page and resources.
Checks on tenant well-being
Housing NSW Tenant Connect is a free service where you receive a phone call each day to confirm you are safe and well. The service will be provided in partnership between Red Cross and Housing NSW (including the Office of Community Housing) across NSW. Tenants aged 80 or over and Aboriginal tenants aged 55 or over who live in public, community and Aboriginal housing will be eligible to apply for this service. More info
‘Growth providers’ now finalised
Following the second round tenders, the associations awarded ‘growth provider’ status have been finalised. They are Affordable Community Housing, Blue CHP (a consortium of five associations: Argyle, Hume, South Coast, Wentworth and Womens), Compass, Community Housing Ltd, North Coast. St George, and South West Inner Sydney Housing (SWISH).
The growth providers will receive weighting in tenders for AIHF tenders, some will convert a number of 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.
Latest round of Affordable Housing Innovation Funds (AHIF) awarded
The latest round of funding under the Affordable Housing Innovations Fund has been announced with government investment being made into four projects: Blue CHP (40), South Coast Community Housing Ltd (8), St George Community Housing Co. (50) and Compass (4) have been successful in receiving funding to acquire a total of 102 homes in the Sydney, South Coast and Newcastle area. Unlike previous Debt Equity tenders, a proportion of the properties will not need to be set aside for public housing eligible applicants. Instead, all those housed can be drawn from a mix of very low to moderate income households (earning 50% or less of median household income - 120% of median income). The next round will provide at least $16.5 million of government investment. However, it is expected that these projects will also be designed to utilise the new National Rental Affordability Scheme incentives.
NSW Tenancy Law Reform
The Residential Tenancy Act NSW 1987 is currently under review. Watch this space for further updates.
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 |
