Page 4596 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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Introducing these instruments represents the last stage of developing the elements for a regulatory framework which the ACT government began by amending the Housing Assistance Act 2007, in 2008. The framework will monitor risks to service quality and tenancy management practices, protect government investment in the sector and encourage private investment in affordable housing.
At the national level, the Australian government has already communicated its wish for an expanded role for the not-for-profit housing sector in the development and management of additional rental housing. Outcomes that will result from the growth of the sector were incorporated into the national affordable housing agreement negotiated during 2008 by the commonwealth and state and territory governments and which commenced on 1 January 2009. They were complemented by measures under the nation building and jobs package and the national rental affordability scheme.
Our legislative framework will help to assure investors in affordable housing that there is comprehensive oversight of risks for not-for-profit housing providers. Our framework complements the steps that the ACT government has taken to provide more affordable housing for those members of our community who are in housing stress or need. It will encourage innovative approaches to the development of additional housing stock, a strategy of the affordable housing action plan 2007.
Under this plan, the ACT government gave CHC Affordable Housing, formerly called Community Housing Canberra, a $50 million revolving loan facility, as well as transferring title to 135 properties to the company as part of the government’s objective of supporting the growth of the community housing sector. CHC has been operating in the Canberra market for a number of years and is well placed to increase the supply of affordable properties for both rental and purchase in the ACT. This will help to increase both rental stock and housing stock available for sale to people at less than $300,000 per dwelling.
In early March 2008, at a meeting of state and territory housing ministers, which I chaired, approval was given for a national regulatory framework for not-for-profit housing providers. Soon afterwards, on 14 March 2008, my colleague Simon Corbell presented to the Assembly amendments to the Housing Assistance Act on my behalf. These amendments empowered the Commissioner for Social Housing to register, monitor the activities of, and deregister community housing providers and to intervene, where necessary, in the conduct of any provider that breaches conditions of their registration.
An office of registrar has been established by the Commissioner for Social Housing to oversee the registration and monitor the activities of registered not-for-profit housing providers. The registrar is the Commissioner for Social Housing’s delegate.
Under our framework, affordable and community housing providers have to meet the eligibility criteria contained in the Housing Assistance Act 2007 in order to be registered. Registration will be permanent, subject to ongoing compliance with the eligibility criteria. The registration process will allow for the registration of existing providers and new providers, including those providers from interstate. Presently, there are three providers that could possibly register as an affordable housing provider,
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