LANDMARK HOUSING LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT

LANDMARK HOUSING LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT Main Image

10 February 2023

The Hon Stephen Jones MP

Assistant Treasurer

Minister for Financial Services

Member for Whitlam

 

Alison Byrnes MP

Member for Cunningham

 

The Albanese Government has this week, introduced a package of legislation to deliver the single biggest investment in affordable and social housing in more than a decade.

 

The Housing Australia Fund Bill 2023 will deliver on the Government’s promise to create the $10 billion fund, helping to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

 

Over the next five years, 30,000 new social and affordable homes will be built across the country, including 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.

 

The introduction of the legislation complements the Government’s Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee scheme, which is already available to residents across the Illawarra, helping them purchase new or existing homes with a deposit as little as five per cent.

 

In addition to the creation of thousands of social and affordable homes, returns from the fund will also deliver on the Government’s commitments to help address acute housing needs including:

 

  • $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities; 
  • $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness; and 
  • $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at‑risk of homelessness. 

 

Quotes attributable to Stephen Jones, Member for Whitlam:

 

“We have a housing problem and best way to solve it is to build more houses.

 

“This landmark investment will put a roof over the head of people who need it the most.

 

“It also adds to the supply of new houses which ultimately eases the pressure for everyone.”

 

Quotes attributable to Alison Byrnes, Member for Cunningham:

 

“After nearly a decade of delay, the Albanese Labor Government is making social and affordable housing a key priority.

 

“The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver on our commitment of 30,000 new social and affor.dable homes in the fund’s first five years, to ensure those most vulnerable in our community can access fair and equitable housing.