Page 4430 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 30 October 2018
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The housing strategy flags an ongoing program of work we will pursue to make sure the government strengthens its position as a model landlord and to encourage private landlords to do the same. The Attorney-General is leading further improvements to the Residential Tenancies Act, changes which will provide stronger protections and rights for tenants. This was the subject of significant feedback for this strategy, and these changes will make it easier for tenants to make minor modifications to their homes, allow pets as a default and make changes to no-cause evictions.
The rental bond loan scheme will be streamlined and made more accessible for Canberrans. The up-front cost of a bond can be eliminated with a no-interest loan payable over two years from Housing ACT, and this will be an option for many people to enter the private market.
Further, under the affordable rental heading, the new affordable housing real estate management model, to be run by CHC Housing, will soon take shape. There has been much discussion in the Assembly about the willingness of investors to offer properties at low market rent. As I have said, the government have the program to test this willingness and we are examining the land tax incentive in this context.
Finally, in relation to providing for more affordable home ownership, the ACT government will continue nation-leading tax reforms, eliminating stamp duty over time and increasing support for first home buyers through the abolishment of the duty altogether from July next year.
The ACT land rent scheme and the Housing ACT shared equity scheme will look for reforms and at how we can expand the schemes to enable a greater take-up by the ACT community. The land rent scheme was recently recognised by the Australia Institute as a nation-leading program offering a cheaper alternative to traditional home purchases, saving thousands of dollars to the up-front cost of owning a home. Further, in actions already well underway the government now maintains a database of Canberrans eligible for affordable home purchase and is exploring shared equity and resale covenant options to make sure affordable housing stays affordable when it changes hands.
I said at the outset that the development of this housing strategy would be a genuine community effort. I was criticised for the time it has taken, but I think the outcome has been worth it—a strategy and a set of actions which I am confident reflect the wishes and values of the great majority of the Canberra community. The point in all of this is to get more people into secure and stable housing, to give them the life chances which flow from that, and the chance at happiness that everyone deserves. I record my thanks to all members of the community and all organisations that contributed to the development of the strategy.
I also extend my gratitude to the group of individuals who have been guiding the strategy as part of the government’s consultative group. They have provided significant and important advice since the lead-up to last year’s summit and through the development of the strategy. This contribution has been invaluable, so thanks to each of them. The release of this strategy is only the beginning, and I look forward to updating the Assembly as the work rolls out.
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