Industry bodies call for greater HAFF funding

Ahead of the impending federal budget that is to be released in May, property, housing, and social service organisations have released a statement calling on the federal government to increase funding for the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) to $20 billion.

The associations, all named in a statement released on 23 April, include the Housing Industry Association, National Shelter, the Property Council of Australia, the Community Housing Industry Association, Australian Council of Social Service, Master Builders Australia, and Homelessness Australia.

They expressed that increasing funding is a “critical step” if the government intends to meet its target of building 1.2 million new homes by 2029 (equating to 240,000 homes a year).

The industry associations also put forth recommendations to the government regarding the National Housing and Homelessness Plan that would identify reforms needed to address homelessness and improve outcomes across the housing spectrum.

The recommendations to the government included:

• Publishing a draft of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan for consultation with the industry.
• Creating targets for both affordable and social housing in the National Housing and Homelessness Plan and reflecting these in the National Housing Accord.
• Including the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council in the oversight of the delivery and reporting of the plan.
• Requiring the government to report on barriers to the delivery of homes and the progress of the delivery of the Accord and the National Housing and Homelessness Plan every six months.
• Holding state and territory governments accountable to the National Planning Reform Blueprint (which outlines planning, zoning, and land release measures for the states).

The National Shelter chief executive Emma Greenhalgh said: “The government has made important commitments and progress is underway – but the Prime Minister must bolster his housing agenda to strengthen the delivery of new homes.”

Wendy Hayhurst, CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association, said that Australia was at a “critical juncture” and needed to address the housing crisis: “Doubling the Housing Australia Future Fund would boost revenue to invest in much-needed affordable homes to benefit generations to come.”

The CEO of Property Council, Mike Zorbas, echoed similar sentiments: “There is no time to lose. We are at a housing crossroads. The government should double down on its leadership position and help states and territories speed up planning and housing supply across the board.”

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, said that development and project approval delays are putting a “handbrake” on housing supply.

Wawn stated: “We know one of the biggest handbrakes on housing supply is making it easier for new projects to get the green light by kickstarting private investment and reducing development costs and delays.”

Speaking on affordable social housing, Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said: “Investment in more social housing is urgently needed to provide homes to the growing number of people being squeezed out of the rental market.”

[Related: Construction loans for new homes at 20-year low: HIA]