Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

Howard Government Looking to the Future for Public Housing

The Howard Government today announced a major shake up of the delivery of public and community housing across Australia to drive an increase in availability.

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said current arrangements through the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA,) which have seen the Australian Government provide almost $10 billion over the past decade directly to the states and territories, had failed to deliver additional housing for those most in need.

“Clearly, more of the same won’t work and will not help those in need,” Mr Brough said.

“Given the states and territories abysmal record in managing public and community housing, with housing stock actually falling over the past decade despite the Australian Government’s massive funding to states and territories, we are now radically altering our approach to ensure a better deal for future generations in need of affordable housing.

“The CSHA has evolved over the past 50 years. It was effective in building up the stock of public and community housing to about 385,000 dwellings – almost five per cent of Australia’s housing stock.

“But over the past 10 years the states and territories have used these funds in ways that have not increased supply as the table below highlights.

“We need a bold, new approach to effectively use these funds to ensure housing is available for those most in need including, low-middle income earners, people with disabilities, Indigenous Australians and older people.

“Today I am announcing that for the next CSHA from July 2008, we will immediately invite expressions of interest from all parties, including state and territory governments, the non-government sector and the private sector such as major builders and any other interested individuals, groups or organisations, for their proposals and ideas on new and innovative approaches to using the available funds to increase affordable housing supply.

“This represents an innovative and dynamic shift in approach which will help ensure more effective use is made of Australian taxpayer funds to increase housing supply.

“This measure will complement initiatives recently announced by Treasurer Peter Costello to increase land availability.

“It will also complement the significant, direct assistance given to people on income support in the public and community housing market and private rental market, which includes $2.4 billion in rent assistance.”

Expressions of interests are invited by 28 September 2007. Interested parties or people seeking information can contact a special hotline on 1800 047 482 (TTY 1800 260 472) or email socialhousing (socialhousing@facsia.gov.au)

Table showing overall reduction in housing stock in states and territories since 1996-97

Public and Community Rental Housing Stocks
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); CSHA National Data Reports various).
2007/8 CSHA GRANT FUNDING BY STATE/TERRITORY
State Total Commonwealth Funding ($000) State Matching Funding ($000)
New South Wales 301,246 120,674
Victoria 216,702 90,933
Queensland 196,916 72,740
Western Australia 102,497 36,634
South Australia 73,739 27,739
Tasmania 25,177 10,721
Australian Capital Territory 19,056 8,464
Northern Territory 35,271 6,663
Total 970,602 374,568

Graphs attached:

  • CSHA dwelling numbers versus state operating expenses per dwelling.
  • Public housing dwelling numbers by state/territory
  • New public housing applicants accommodated by state/territory

Attachments