News

On 2 May 2013, the Australian National Audit Office released its report on the implementation of the National Partnership on Homelessness. The report found that despite the expenditure of over $1.1 billion by Commonwealth and state/territory governments under the national partnership, reaching the target of a 7 per cent reduction in homelessness by 1 July 2013 will be unlikely to be achieved. The report also noted that a payment structure in any longer-term homelessness agreement that is more closely related to performance would enhance public accountability — and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has stated its support for this recommendation in the report. Read the report.

On 18 April 2013, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs opened a call for applications for 1,000 incentives under the National Rental Affordability Scheme. This call for applications is for projects that are ‘shovel ready’ or ready to go, including those with secured finance, land and development approvals. The round will close on May 22. Read more from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

On 11 April 2013, the Commonwealth Government released an exposure draft of a Bill to establish a Housing Payment Deduction Scheme. The proposed scheme provides for tenants of public housing and state-owned and managed Aboriginal housing who are in arrears or at risk of arrears to have their rent compulsorily deducted from their Centrelink benefits. The scheme aims to prevent evictions and possible homelessness, and to reduce the cost of managing arrears. The proposal is linked to an initiative specified in the Commonwealth Government’s white paper on homelessness, The road home, and a reform identified in the National Affordable Housing Agreement. Submissions are due by April 23. Read about the proposed Housing Payment Deduction Scheme.

On 28 March 2013, the Commonwealth Government made an announcement regarding the expansion of affordable rental housing supply under the National Rental Affordability Scheme. A Round 5 comprised of 10,000 incentives are to be made available (this round is to open on May 7 and close on August 6). Also, a round of 1,000 unallocated incentives are to be put back on the market (this round is to open on April 18 and close on May 22). Read the communiqué of 28 March 2013 meeting of the COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness.

On 28 March 2013, the Commonwealth Government announced that the states and territories had matched its pledge for a transitional funding arrangement under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness for 2013–14 — with a total of $320 million, which includes a $76 million development fund for new accommodation arrangements. Previously, funding for projects under the National Partnership on Homelessness had been due to expire on 30 June 2013. The Commonwealth, state and territory governments are continuing to negotiate in relation to funding beyond 2013–14. Read the communiqué of 28 March 2013 meeting of the COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness.