What are states doing with housing funds?
"It is time for the states and territories to come clean on what they are doing with federal funding for housing," Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said today.
"Despite billions being provided by the Federal Government to the states for housing, there were 13 fewer public houses available in 2004-05 than in 1996-97.
"During that period, the Federal Government has provided the states $9.6 billion in funds for housing. The current five year Commonwealth State Housing Agreement until 2008 provides states and territories $4.75 billion for public and community housing.
"What are the states/territories doing with all this money?
"State housing authorities and state/territory governments must be held accountable for their management of public and community housing.
"If National Shelter or any other welfare agency wants to complain about housing availability/affordability, perhaps they should be demanding an explanation from state Labor governments.
"The table below shows that housing stock has declined significantly in SA, NT, ACT and TAS while there have only been marginal increases in the other states and overall, the total stock is 13 fewer houses than in 1996-97."
| NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 133,675 | 66,934 | 54,224 | 35,787 | 60,698 | 14,114 | 12,052 | 7,973 | 385,457 |
| 1997-98 | 134,300 | 68,951 | 57,319 | 38,023 | 59,620 | 14,747 | 11,947 | 8,079 | 392,986 |
| 1998-99 | 135,736 | 72,565 | 57,752 | 38,237 | 58,639 | 14,245 | 11,959 | 7,386 | 396,519 |
| 1999-00 | 139,180 | 71,515 | 57,006 | 38,373 | 58,272 | 13,903 | 12,070 | 7,591 | 397,910 |
| 2000-01 | 140,968 | 70,950 | 57,445 | 38,613 | 57,020 | 13,602 | 11,913 | 6,168 | 396,679 |
| 2001-02 | 140,891 | 70,578 | 56,884 | 37,160 | 54,439 | 13,213 | 11,588 | 6,184 | 390,937 |
| 2002-03 | 139,289 | 71,005 | 57,504 | 35,719 | 53,189 | 12,570 | 11,467 | 5,924 | 386,667 |
| 2003-04 | 138,292 | 71,097 | 57,148 | 37,314 | 52,607 | 12,422 | 11,548 | 5,715 | 386,143 |
| 2004-05 | 138,580 | 71,042 | 57,289 | 37,392 | 51,628 | 12,441 | 11,415 | 5,657 | 385,444 |
Source: Housing Assistance Act 1996 Annual Reports ( various); CXSHA National Data Reports various).