The National Housing Accord announced in Tuesday’s Federal Budget is being supported by the ACT to address housing access, affordability and choice.
Welcoming the Accord, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said working collaboratively, the Commonwealth and States and Territory Governments had agreed on a policy framework that set an aspirational national target of delivering one million new, well-located homes over five years from 2024.
Mr Barr said the ACT would seek to exceed its per capita share of those one million homes.
He said the policy framework would see the Territory work with the Federal Government and institutional finance to improve the financing for new social and affordable housing projects.
“The Build to Rent Prospectus released by our Government in August aligns with these broader objectives,” Mr Barr said.
He said under the Accord, improvements to zoning, planning and land release would be delivered in the ACT through the Planning System Review and Reform Project.
Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry said she was thrilled to see the Federal Government work with States and Territories to deliver more social and affordable housing for all Australians.
“When all Governments are united, our shared commitments to grow social and affordable housing will deliver better outcomes for the community and more homes for people who need them,” Ms Berry said.
“The Housing Accord will support the ACT Government’s continuing commitments to deliver more social and affordable housing,” she said.
“The ACT Government is committed the delivering 1,400 homes, with 1,000 homes renewed and 400 extra homes built for families who need public housing.”
Ms Berry said the ACT’s housing strategy and target to deliver 600 affordable rentals would closely align with the Commonwealth’s commitments.
“These projects will require close collaboration with the Commonwealth and will build on projects like the recently completed Common Ground Dickson and actions to support affordable housing such as Built-to-Rent and support for community housing providers,” she said.
A three-page fact sheet on the National Housing Accord can be accessed at this PS News link.
