Consultation begins on regulation of community housing sector

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib today welcomed the launch of public consultation on a national regulatory system for community housing providers.

The consultation follows June’s agreement by Australia’s Housing Ministers to introduce nationally consistent regulatory arrangements to promote the growth of the community housing sector nationally.

“The aim of a national regulatory system for non-government housing providers is to attract private sector investment to community housing providers to help them deliver more housing,” Senator Arbib said.

“This is an important element in meeting the increasing levels of unmet need in affordable housing.

“Regulating community housing providers on a national level will help to protect vulnerable tenants, attract more funding to the sector, and enhance investor confidence.

“These three factors are critical to securing the future of community housing and helping the sector to grow.”

Senator Arbib said a national approach to regulation sought to overcome the barriers, gaps and inconsistencies that have arisen through each state and territory regulating community housing providers.

“I encourage all stakeholders to actively engage in the consultation process – your views are central to progressing this key housing reform,” Senator Arbib said.

Following the consultation, a final proposal will be presented to Housing Ministers. The national regulatory system is expected to be in place by 2013.

For more information about the consultation, including online feedback and submissions, see www.nrsch.gov.au