The Community Housing Industry Association of SA (CHIA SA) strongly welcomes the agreement between Labor, the Greens and the Senate cross bench which will now pave the way for the much-needed Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
CHIA SA Chief Executive Officer Luke Westenberg said the $10 billion HAFF Bill, which would now pass with the support of the Greens and cross bench, would help deliver a pipeline of funding for social and affordable rental housing across South Australia.
“The HAFF is a critical step to building up affordable housing stock in South Australia, where vacancy rates have been the lowest in the nation,” said Mr Westenberg.
“Community Housing Providers (CHPs) have shovel-ready projects waiting in the pipeline to provide South Australians on the edge of housing insecurity with affordable options so they can thrive, not just survive from rent bill to rent bill,” he said.
The HAFF is projected to help the Federal Government deliver on its commitment of 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in its first five years.
Mr Westenberg said CHIA SA and CHPs have been working closely with the State Government to identify affordable housing projects that could be delivered under the HAFF and the Social Housing Accelerator Program.
“CHIA SA and CHPs are keen to start delivering projects that will expand the supply of affordable housing for South Australians and have – and will continue to – work closely with all tiers of government to get the job done as quickly as possible,” he said.
CHIA SA recently worked with the State Government to support tender processes for affordable housing projects in Prospect and Bowden.
More than 39,000 households in South Australia are without appropriate housing, according to a CHIA report released earlier this year. Without action, this number will jump to 50,700 by 2041.
There are more than 25 CHPs in South Australia currently managing more than 13,000 affordable homes for about 20,000 South Australians.
CHIA SA supports and advocates for CHPs, which are not-for-profit organisations providing affordable housing to South Australians living on low to moderate incomes.
Media contact: Rebecca DiGirolamo on 0429 181 422 or rebecca@hughespr.com.au
WHO IS CHIA SA? CHIA SA is the peak industry body representing community housing providers (CHPs) in SA. CHPs are not-for-profit organisations, which provide affordable, safe and secure housing to people on low incomes, facing disadvantage and/or with specific needs. CHIA SA receives funding from the SA Government and advocates on behalf of the sector and informs key stakeholders and the community.
