The ACT government is set to begin work on a strategic plan for community housing in Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Housing Minister Shane Rattenbury will on Monday announce that the government would work with the community housing sector to develop the strategic plan.
"The idea is create a framework which allows the community housing sector to grow and grow in a sustainable way," he said.
"It's focused on the urge of shelter agencies to grow the sector but also to make sure it's done in a way that has integrity. It's not just about houses, it's also about the services that go around providing community housing.
"We need to define some of the key issues and set out options for addressing those issues and the key one really is where do we find the resources and how do we grow the sector."
The commitment follows a report released by ACT Shelter last year into community housing.
It recommended the government partner with the private sector to grow the dwelling stock in the territory and called for a more united approach to building community housing in the territory.
ACT Shelter executive officer Leigh Watson said it was pleasing the government had agreed to develop a strategic plan.
In its response to the report, the government agreed to several of ACT Shelter's recommendations including to identify needs for capacity development and sustainability of the sector. The government agreed in principle to a recommendation to incorporate innovative planning and rezoning approaches in the strategic plan.
The government agreed to investigate stock transfer and management outsourcing as a means to increasing social housing. There was also in principle agreement to a recommendation to develop partnership options with community housing organisations to increase social housing in public housing redevelopment and city master plans.
"We're quite keen to get things moving in this space and hopefully see an increase in some housing to assist those currently struggling," Ms Watson said.
"We do welcome the government's response and willingness to undertake further work in this area."
Community housing is rental housing provided by not-for-profit, non-government organisations that is affordable and appropriate for low to moderate income-earners.
Mr Rattenbury said although community housing in the ACT compromised a small percentage of the housing stock, it provided a valuable alternative to private and public housing.
“The Strategic Plan will include a focus on the role of community housing as both an essential and an innovative component of the broader housing sector capable of growth," he said.
"The strategic plan cannot only focus on growth, however. Whilst growth is essential, we maintain our commitment to continually improving the social, economic and outcomes for tenants.
“Community housing does not exist or its own, nor can the needs of tenants be adequately met if it is developed in isolation. That’s why the strategic plan will develop community housing to operate as part of one human services system with links to allied programs and plans.”
Mr Rattenbury said the goverment would work with the sector to develop the plan although it was not yet known exactly how long that would take.
"I'd like to get on with it, I don't want this to drag on too long. I want to get the plan finalised and start getting it implemented," he said.
"It's a balance between doing good consultation and doing it in a timely manner."
Ms Watson said there needed to be a commitment by the government to boost resources.
"The provision of housing is not something that's going to happen without any financial commitment and just like the government takes responsibility for education and health, we believe they need to step up to the plate and do the same with housing so yes there will be dollars required in this space but we believe that's not too much to ask for what is basically a basic human right and a necessity," she said.