Joint Statement: Double the Housing Australia Future Fund to help fix housing crisis

An alliance of housing, property and social service organisations is pressing the Albanese government to significantly amplify its efforts to alleviate the national housing shortage.

The Property Council of Australia, National Shelter, the Housing Industry Association, the Community Housing Industry Association, ACOSS, Master Builders Australia, and Homelessness Australia are jointly urging the government to double the Housing Australia Future Fund to $20 billion in the upcoming budget.

This would be a critical step towards meeting the ambitious target of constructing 1.2 million new homes by 2029 under the National Housing Accord.

“The government has made important commitments and progress is under way – but the Prime Minister must bolster his housing agenda to strengthen the delivery of new homes,” said Shelter CEO Emma Greenhalgh.

CHIA CEO Wendy Hayhurst said: “We are at a critical juncture in addressing the housing crisis in Australia. Doubling the Housing Australia Future Fund would boost revenue to invest in much-needed affordable homes to benefit generations to come.”

Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said: “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.”

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said: “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.”

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.”

The alliance outlined a series of recommendations in a detailed letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urging comprehensive enhancements to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan.

The recommendations are:

• Doubling the Housing Australia Future Fund in the upcoming budget to $20 billion
• Publishing a draft of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan for further engagement and consultation with the sector
• Setting targets for both social and affordable housing in the National Housing and Homelessness Plan and reflecting these in the Accord.
• Including the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council in the oversight of the delivery and the reporting of the Accord and the National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
• Establishing transparent and accountable governance arrangements with regular reporting on the progress of the delivery of the Accord and the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, including reporting each six months on barriers to the delivery of homes, and ongoing formal engagement with the sector on the progress of the Accord.
• Requiring Commonwealth departments that touch on any aspect of the delivery of the 1.2 million homes commitment to place the National Housing Accord at the forefront of their policies and programs and remove any barriers that will delay or inhibit the delivery of these homes.
• Holding State and Territory governments to account against the National Planning Reform Blueprint.