Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Government to deliver almost 4,000 new affordable rental homes under Round One of the National Rental Affordability Scheme

The Australian Government will deliver 3899 new affordable rental homes for low and middle income families under the first round of the National Affordable Rental Scheme (NRAS).

I have written to all of the applicants, advising of the outcomes of the assessment process from round one of the NRAS,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This is an excellent outcome for households on low to moderate incomes, including key workers, who meet the eligibility requirements to rent these affordable rental homes.

By providing incentives to build new rental homes the Australian Government is also supporting jobs in the construction and building industry at a time when we need them most.” Ms Plibersek said.

Ms Plibersek said the level of interest from potential applicants in Round Two of the Scheme – which closed on 27 March 2009 – was very strong.

“I am encouraged by an increased level of interest from the corporate sector in participating in this innovative program which provides annual incentives of $8000 per home for a 10 year period.”

“I strongly encourage potential investors to consider the opportunities offered through affordable housing supported by the NRAS.”

NRAS aims to improve affordability in the private rental sector by requiring rents to be at least 20 per cent below market value to tenants who meet the income eligibility requirements.

More details on the NRAS can be found at the FaHCSIA website.

The table below shows the housing providers which have been offered allocations under the NRAS.

* denotes applicants who have been made offers which have not yet been accepted their allocations of National Rental Incentives.

New South Wales

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
BlueCHP Ltd 52
*BlueCHP Ltd 242
Cardev (NSW) Pty Limited 45
Churches Community Housing Limited 50
*City of Canada Bay Council 24
*City West Housing Pty Ltd 57
Compass Housing Services Co Ltd 26
Compass Housing Services Co Ltd 43
Edgeworth Projects Pty Limited as trustee for the Edgeworth Projects Unit Trust 21
*Illawarra Retirement Trust 22
*Macquarie Bond Trust 20
St George Community Housing 100
The Claireleigh Joint Venture 88
The Association to Resource Co-operative Housing Ltd (ARCH) 26
Community Housing Ltd 40
Mission Australia 16
*27 – 29 George Street  Pty Ltd 202
NSW Round One NRAS Allocations Total 1074

Victoria

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
*Community Housing (VIC) Ltd 317
Mission Australia (Also providing dwellings in NSW) 66
Port Phillip Housing Association Limited 113
Urban Communities Limited 100
Victorian Urban Development Authority 100
VIC Round One NRAS Allocations Total 696

Queensland

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
Aspire Housing Group Pty Ltd 203
Brisbane Housing Company Ltd 30
Gold Coast Housing Company Limited 100
Gold Coast Housing Company Limited 115
*Mystart Pty Ltd as trustee for the Mystart Trust 62
*Queensland Affordable Housing Consortium Ltd 53
*Stony Creek Pty Limited 100
QLD Round One NRAS  Allocations Total 663

Australian Capital Territory

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
Community Housing Canberra Ltd 56
ACT Round One NRAS Allocations 56

Tasmania

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
Community Housing Ltd 100
M&D Nikitaras Family Trust No2 and Nikitaras & Urosevic Family Trust No2 20
Mali Property Group Pty Ltd atf Mali Property Group Unit Trust 206
Paramount Group Australia Pty Ltd 261
TAS Round One NRAS Allocations Total 587

Western Australia

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
Accelerated Wealth Systems PL As Trustee For The Affordable Housing Systems Group Unit Trust 165
Amana Living Incorporated 22
Foundation Housing Ltd 38
Questus Funds Management Limited as Responsible Entity for the Questus Residential Investment Trust 176
WA Round One NRAS Allocations Total 401

South Australia

Applicant’s Name Number of Homes
Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers Friend Society Inc. 33
Adelaide Workmen’s Homes Inc 70
Anglicare SA Incorporated 116
Community Housing Ltd 50
ECH Inc 120
Unity Housing Company Limited 33
SA Round One NRAS Allocations Total 422