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What's New - Archived
Commonwealth discussion paper on regulation & growth released (22 April 2010)
The Commonwealth has released a discussion paper entitled Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector. (discussion paper) It argues the case for a national regulatory system for not-for-profit housing providers and that changes to institutional frameworks, improved access to capital funding, and a significant shift in the scale and sophistication of operations will be necessary for the growth and success of the sector. This discussion paper and the processes that follow will play a significant role in informing the Commonwealth’s responses to shaping the conditions under which our sector can be supported. Consultations begin in Sydney on 3 May (followed by consultations around the country). See E-Flyer. Submissions responding to the discussion paper are invited. The closing date for submissions is 4 June 2010.
Housing pathways training (formerly known as Common Access System Training (CAS)) (11 march 2010)
The Go Live date for the implementation of Housing pathways is the end of April. Housing Pathways is underpinned by the ‘No Wrong Door’ protocol that requires collaboration between public and community housing providers in order to provide integrated responses for presenting clients. The protocol will enable clients to receive a consistent standard of housing advice and streamlined access to social housing and other housing assistance.
Housing Pathways IT System training
Registrations are now open for the half day IT System training. This training covers the use of the online application form and e-query including how to input, find and filter applicant data on the e-system. Please remember to bring your Housing Pathways citrix password to the training session. More info
Housing Pathways TRIM training update
TRIM training is currently being provided by Housing NSW to you through e-learning (on line) and face to face. The use of TRIM is a key tool in implementing and supporting records management for Housing Pathways, For training schedule and registration go to our events page.
Housing Pathways Operational Training
HNSW has contracted NSWFHA to develop training for community housing providers to support the implementation of Housing Pathways.
The current training schedule is due for completion on March 31st. More info
Sector Advocacy
For any policy issues questions or comments about the impact and implementation of Housing Pathways please contact Rachel Louttit on rachel@communityhousing.org.au
Tenders for title transfer called (4 Dec 2009)
The tenders to allocate ownership of up to 5,500 Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan properties and 500 of the portfolio currently managed by community housing provieders have been announced. The communique outlining the process was released on the 3rd of December. Tender documents can be accessed on https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/housing. 857 of the properties in stage one of the Stimulus Plan will be directly allocated. There will be an open tender for stage two, and a select tender for the 500 properties currently managed by housing associations. Tenders close in February 2010.
CTTT - Social Housing Division Review 2009 (22 Dec 2009)
Provide feedback on the first year of the Social Housing Division. The Social Housing Division of the CTTT commenced operations on 1 October 2008. The CTTT is undertaking a review of the Division’s first year of operation. They are seeking widespread feedback. It is important that as many housing associations as possible provide feedback on the Division. Please complete the questionnaire and return to lisette.rudge@cttt.nsw.gov.au by 22 January, 2010
The Registrar of Community Housing - Strategic and Governance Framework (1 Dec 2009)
The Registrar has published its Strategic and Governance Framewok, which guides its administration of the community housing regulatory system. This document outlines the Registrar’s purpose, values, regulatory principles, strategic priorities and governance arrangements.The Framework can be viewed on the Registrar's website: www.rch.nsw.gov.au
Draft Tenancy Law reforms released for consultation (5 Nov 2009)
The Minister for Fair Trading has released the draft Residential Tenancies Bill (2009) for public consultation. It is not yet law and is anticipated to be introduced to Parliament early 2010. The Federation will be establishing a focus group to examine the draft bill in detail prior to making a submission. Housing providers are able to give feedback and make their own submissions to the Office of Fair Trading. The draft bill is available on the OFT website www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au. Or download pdf of draft bill here.
ONLINE LEARNING PILOT LAUNCHED WEDNESDAY 6th October 8, 2009 (8 Oct 09)
Community housing managers from 14 locations across NSW participated in the first online session for the accredited unit “Reflect and Improve on own Professional Practice”. Students will meet online 4 times over the next two months to share experience as peers on management issues. Course content is available on the NSWFHA Moodle Learning Management System which students are able to work through at their own pace.
NSWFHA has received funding from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework to implement a national project to integrate e -learning into community housing. Online units will be available for other states to use from 2010. Click here for more information - link to elearning page NATIONAL RENTAL AFFORDABILITY SCHEME (NRAS) - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ROUND 3 (28 Aug 09)
On 12 August 2009, the Minister for Housing, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, announced that Round Three of the National Rental Affordability Scheme would open from 1 September 2009. Applications can be received from 1 September and the Call will remain open for up to 12 months. The extended opening period acknowledges the feedback which has been received from housing providers and developers about the way in which project planning and the securing of finance needs to be undertaken, particularly in the current economic environment. Round Three
The Third Round will be initially conducted with two separate components: 1. Applications which link to proposals under the Social Housing Initiative, a component of the Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Plan. 2. Applications which seek to have the private sector develop state-owned land that has been released for residential development – the NRAS component can be all or part of the development The targeted approach aims to simplify and encourage mixed developments on public land and to support linkages with the Social Housing Initiative, which is part of the National Building Economic Stimulus Plan. More detailed information on the two components and how to apply will be available from 1 September 2009.
The new Affordable Rental Housing - State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) was launched on Friday, 31 July by Planning NSW. The policy provides a range of planning incentives to encourage the creation of new affordable rental housing. The Affordable Rental Housing SEPP is designed to maximize the benefits of the Commonwealth Government’s recent investments under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) and the Economic Stimulus Package for new social housing. (31 July 09)
NEW PUBLICATION: "Playing a role in locally based economic development - A resource for housing associations" (July 09)
Support available for Registration under the new Code (9 July 09)
Registration assessments under the new Code are underway. The Federation, in partnership with Homelessness NSW, is providing free training and a set of support materials for those preparing their registrations. Nada Goodacre is the new project officer coordinating the training and support workshops and materials. To view any of the new resource material please go to the What is Community Housing section and view the “Regulatory” page for the available registration resources. Nada can be contacted on (02) 92871-7144 ext 210 for any further enquiries about registration training support or workshops.
Cabinet agrees to transfer title (25 June 09)
The NSW Cabinet has agreed to the transfer of title to community housing providers for the first time. The initial transfer will include the majority of the new properties to be built as part of the Federal government’s stimulus package plus 500 properties owned by Housing NSW. Title to up to 7,000 properties could be transferred under this initiative. Housing Minister David Borger described this as an historic shift (See press release and the Minister’s speech in Parliament) http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/
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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.
Large scale property transfers to housing associations (April 09)
At least 3,000 public housing properties will be transferred to community housing management over the next 12 months. Fifteen associations will take on the management of these tenancies. The transfers are taking place in 17 local areas (across all regions) and a range of locations in Sydney. The associations include some small regional organisations. The transfers will see two associations double in size and seven others will increase by between 20 and 40 per cent.
Federation proposes new affordable housing charitable provisions to Henry Tax review (March 09)
To see the Federation submission:
http://taxreview.treasury.gov.au/content/submissions/post_14_november_2008/ NSW_Federation_of_Housing_Associations_20090501.pdf
For further information on the Henry Tax Review …. http://taxreview.treasury.gov.au/Content/Content.aspx?doc=html/home.htm
Federation gives evidence to Inquiry into homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation
To see submission. (6 April 09)
The Federation’s response to questions on notice can be seen here (http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/47231E9379BBC350CA2575E8001210A1 )
along with evidence from members and experts (http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/
committee.nsf/0/78360C7CC2AE7EFCCA25751400150094 ) (July 2009)
$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.
Tax Office threat to charitable status averted for now (Nov 2008)
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.
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
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
NSW Social Housing Common Access System presentation (24 Nov 2009)
Housing NSW, in partnership with the community housing sector, is developing a detailed strategy for creating a social housing common access system in NSW. A presentation on the common access system was given at 20 November 2009 Housing Associations Meeting by Mark Nutting, CAS Project Manager, Housing NSW. Download presentation
Special HAM
Watch video of special Housing Associations Meeting held 24th February 2009. (26 Feb 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.
25 Years of Housing Associations
Watch video of '25 Years of Housing Associations in NSW' - (from 25 yr party November 2007). (26 Feb 09)
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.
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.
2008 NSW Community Housing Conference - Conference papers now available.
NSW Awards for Excellence in Community Housing 2008 - winners
‘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.
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) | 
