The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) has strongly endorsed today's announcement of a new partnership between the Commonwealth, states and territories, and community housing providers, to deliver 5,000 additional social homes under an accelerated Round 2 of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
"This announcement unlocks an additional $3 billion investment and demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the rental crisis," said CHIA CEO Wendy Hayhurst. "Coming just three months after the landmark round one announcement that will house over 25,000 Australians, this is very welcome."
"We are particularly pleased to see the government's strong encouragement for states and territories to partner with community housing providers in delivering these homes. Our sector has consistently demonstrated its capacity to leverage government investment to create additional social and affordable housing supply.
"The 'use it or lose it' approach, combined with the accelerated timeframe for submissions, shows the government understands the pressing nature of our housing challenges. This sense of urgency is exactly what's needed when so many Australians are struggling to find affordable, stable homes."
CHIA chair, Chris Smith, and Vice Chair Rebecca Oelkers also welcomed the government's commitment to expediting round three of HAFF and the establishment of a dedicated working group with peak organisations to facilitate sector engagement.
"With Rounds 1 and 2 set to deliver nearly 19,000 social and affordable homes, we're seeing real momentum in addressing Australia's housing shortfall," Smith said. "The key now is to maintain and build upon this progress through sustained, coordinated action across all levels of government."
Oelkers added: "The community housing sector stands ready to work with government partners to ensure these much-needed homes are delivered as quickly as possible to the Australians who need them most."
