Strengthening the Government’s Affordable Housing Agenda

The Commonwealth Government will establish a working group to investigate innovative ways to improve the availability of affordable housing.

Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, said the working group would look at improving the supply, quality and management of social and affordable housing across Australia.

“The supply of affordable housing is at the centre of a great range of social service challenges,” Mr Porter said.

“No single level of government can act alone on this issue – it must be collaborative and there must be innovative solutions offered.”

Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, Alex Hawke said the working group would seek proposals for housing solutions before working with states to implement some of the suggestions offered.

“We want solutions that will benefit Australians now and into the future,” Mr Hawke said.

“We will be encouraging proposals of social and affordable models that are ready to be implemented, as well as the presentation of new ideas.

“The government will be working collaboratively with states and territories and seeking input from the community – including through a formal public consultation process.”

The working group will comprise members of the Treasury and Department of Social Services as well as members from the NSW, Victorian and West Australian governments.

The Terms of Reference for the working group and an Issues Paper will be released before the end of January, along with a call for proposals from interested parties.

The establishment of the working group follows a request from Treasurers at the Council on Federal Financial Relations meeting in October 2015.