Property Council calls for advisory body to help deliver ACT's $100 million public housing funding

The Property Council of Australia, ACT chapter, has welcomed the announcement of $100 million for public housing over the next five year in the nation’s capital but has called for a Ministerial Advisory Council to be established.

On Monday, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry unveiled the much-anticipated strategy.

The $100 million slated for public housing will result in the development of more than 200 new homes, and the renewal of a further 1000 homes. The affordable-housing target is set to increase with 15 per cent of land supply set aside for public, community and affordable housing.

The government has also committed to release land under a build-to-rent model.

Property Council ACT executive director Adina Cirson – who played an advisory role in the development of the strategy – said the strategy delivered an action plan that will ensure co-operation between the sectors.   

“The strategy clearly articulates five goals on how to best meet the needs of Canberrans – and the collaboration now needed between the public, private and community sectors in order to deliver it,” she said.

The five goals as addressed by the strategy include:

• An equitable, diverse and sustainable supply of housing for the ACT community
• Reducing homelessness
• Strengthening social housing assistance
• Increasing affordable rental housing
• Increasing affordable homeownership

Ms Cirson said the property sector had an important role to play in the roll-out of the strategy.

“What is clear is that as a community we must be prepared to take a hard look at our own roles in meeting the challenge of providing Canberrans with the most basic of needs,” she said.

“That’s why the Property Council is calling on the ACT government to establish a more formal role for industry and the community to help deliver on an ambitious agenda.

“We are calling for a Housing Strategy Ministerial Advisory Council to be established, so that as each of the actions outlined in the plan are funded, we are able to pool our expertise and first-hand knowledge of how to best implement them.”

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Ms Cirson was part of the Affordable Housing Consultative Group and worked with other key stakeholders helping the ACT government develop the strategy.

Last week, the ACT government announced a shake-up to the Residential Tenancies Act with measures to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly this week. Changes include making it easier for tenants to have pets, allowing minor modifications without landlord consent and changes to rent increases.

Ms Berry said these changes form part of the Housing Strategy.

In August, Community Housing Canberra was awarded a $230,000 grant from the ACT government to establish the territory’s first affordable real estate model.