Performance Reporting

Part two

Output Group 4.1: Housing support

Administered items:

Commonwealth State Housing Agreement
Commonwealth State Housing Agreement—Aboriginal Rental Housing Program
Homelessness and Housing
- National Homelessness Strategy
- National Housing Priorities
Rent Assistance
Social Housing Subsidy
Supported Accommodation Assistance Program

Departmental outputs:

Policy services and program management
Service delivery

Commonwealth State Housing Agreement

The 2003 Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) provides Government grants to state and territory governments to provide housing assistance. The aim is to assist those people whose housing needs cannot be met in the private rental sector to access appropriate and affordable housing. The agreement has been extended to 31 December 2008.

Price
Estimate	$970.604m
Actual	$970.604m

Effectiveness—adequacy indicator: Percentage of households where dwelling size is not appropriate due to overcrowding
Estimate	1%	The variance is +0.6 per cent. This increase is due to the definition of overcrowding changing since the estimate was derived.
Actual	1.6%

Effectiveness—affordability indicator: The proportion of rebated households spending not more than 30 per cent of their income in rent
Estimate	99%	The variance is +0.8 per cent. The increase is due to more tenants than estimated paying less than 30 per cent of their income in rent.
Actual	99.8%

Effectiveness—targeting indicator: New allocations to those in greatest need as a percentage of all new allocations
Estimate	36%	The variance is +6.8 per cent. The increase is due to the targeting of public housing to those in greatest need being more effective than forecast.
Actual	42.8%

Effectiveness—targeting indicator: New low‑income householders as a percentage of all new households
Estimate	99%	The variance is +0.5 per cent. Targeting of public housing to those on low incomes was slightly more effective than forecast.
Actual	99.5%

Effectiveness—targeting indicator: Percentage of new tenancies allocated to households with special needs
Estimate	55%	The variance is +2.8 per cent. Targeting of public housing to those with special needs was slightly more effective than forecast.
Actual	57.8%

Quality—access and choice indicator: percentage of households rating amenity and location aspects of their dwelling as important and meeting their needs
Estimate	Amenity 75% Location 85%	The variance for amenity is +4.0 per cent and +1.0 per cent for location Data for 2007 is not directly comparanble with earlier survey data due to changes in survey methodology.
Actual	Amenity 79% Location 86%

Quality—assurance indicator: Time taken to occupy vacant stock
Estimate	35 days	The variance is –7.4 days. The definition of occupancy has changed since the estimate was derived.
Actual	27.6 days

Quality—client satisfaction indicator: Client satisfaction with service
Estimate	Base year (1996) survey results 70%	The variance is +1 per cent. Data for 2007 is not directly comparable with earlier survey data due to changes in survey methodology.
Actual	71%

Quantity indicator: Number of dwellings
Estimate	340,000	The variance is –229 dwellings (0.07 per cent). Slightly fewer dwellings than estimated were provided.
Actual	339,771

Commonwealth State Housing Agreement—Aboriginal Rental Housing Program

As part of the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA), the Aboriginal Rental Housing Program contributes funding to states and territories to provide safe, healthy and sustainable housing for Indigenous people. Aboriginal Rental Housing Program funds are directed to rural and remote areas where there is limited access to both public and private rental housing.

Effectiveness—capacity indicator: Increase in Indigenous community housing income from rent collections
Estimate	By 2008, national average rent collected by the state and territory governments for Indigenous community housing will increase by a minimum of 5% from the previous year	The variance is +5.6 per cent. The latest available data is from the CSHA national data report on state owned and managed Indigenous housing national data report for 2006–07. Rent collected for state owned and managed Indigenous housing in 2006–07 was 10.6 per cent higher than the previous year, or $3.54 million more than originally estimated. This represents a variance of 112 per cent above the estimated increase of 5 per cent.
Actual	10.6% (2006–07)

Quantity indicator—Number of new houses acquired or constructed
Estimate	Approximately 200	The variance is +5. The latest data available is from the CSHA national data report on state owned and managed Indigenous housing national data report for 2006–07. The number of dwellings in state owned and managed Indigenous housing increased by 205 in 2006–07. This represents a variance of 2.5 per cent above the estimated increase of 200 dwellings.
Actual	205 (2006–07)

Homelessness and Housing

Homelessness and Housing initiatives aim to reduce homelessness and improve housing affordability. These aims are pursued through housing policy, innovative approaches to reducing homelessness, and by helping families to maintain housing through early intervention, financial counselling and other support.

In 2008–09, new measures to reduce homelessness and improve housing affordability will be introduced. Measures include: the National Affordable Housing Agreement, a comprehensive agreement providing a more integrated approach to housing service delivery; the Housing Affordability Fund, which will provide funding for local government infrastructure to streamline regulatory processes; and the A Place to Call Home initiative, which will provide 600 new houses for homeless Australians. The National Rental Affordability Scheme will provide rental housing to low and moderate income families at 20 per cent below market rents.

Price
Estimate	$4.719m
Actual	$4.047m

National Homelessness Strategy

The National Homelessness Strategy provides funding for demonstration projects that show leadership in the development of best practice approaches to preventing, reducing or responding to homelessness. The strategy focuses on improved collaboration, linkages, better integrated service delivery and community capacity building; as well as communication activities that improve linkages, share knowledge, raise awareness and promote best practice in the homelessness sector.

The demonstration projects and communication activities are targeted at groups affected by homelessness such as families, youth, women, men and Indigenous people. The projects and activities are individually evaluated and final reports provide a wealth of information on the causes of, and best practice models for, alleviating homelessness.

Effectiveness—capacity indicator: Satisfaction with the level to which funded organisations meet the requirements of the funding agreement*
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	100%

Quantity indicator—Number of projects funded*
Estimate	21	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	21

* The performance indicators listed in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements were incorrect for this measure due to a printing error.

National Housing Priorities

The National Housing Priorities support housing policy, research or administration for organisations involved in the development of community housing infrastructure, housing reform, Indigenous housing issues, housing surveys and data collection. The initiative provides grants approved by the Minister for a range of housing projects, including funding to support community housing representative bodies.

Quality—assurance indicator: Reports to FaHCSIA through organisations’ representative structure represent broad membership views
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements. FaHCSIA was satisfied with the quality and representation of views of the not-for-profit housing sector as represented by the peak body.
Actual	100%

Quality—assurance indicator: Satisfaction with quality and timeliness of policy advice/ sector information received from organisations for use in housing policy and development
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements. All funding agreement requirements were met.
Actual	100%

Quality—assurance indicator: Satisfaction with quality and timeliness of project outputs
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements. FaHCSIA was satisfied with the quality and representation of projects.
Actual	100%

National Housing Research Fund

The National Housing Research Fund is an administered appropriation for housing research, development, demonstration and evaluation. Funding is currently used to supplement the Government’s contribution to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute for housing research.

Quality—assurance indicator: Satisfaction with the level to which funded organisation meets the requirements of the funding agreement and associated documents
Estimate	100%	AHURI are to provide an end-of-funding agreement Certificate of Compliance from their auditors. This is due by the end of October 2008.
Actual	Not yet available

Household Organisational Management Expenses

The Household Organisational Management Expenses (HOME) Advice Program operates in eight locations nationally, providing early intervention services for families at risk of homelessness. The program offers assistance to families experiencing difficulties with maintaining their tenancies or home ownership, by providing support for financial matters, family health and wellbeing, as well as employment and training participation. Both Centrelink and the community organisations are funded through HOME Advice Program to work together in delivering services.

Contracts with service providers have now been extended until 30 June 2009.

Effectiveness—early intervention indicator: Percentage of families remaining in their own homes or rehoused as measured at the end of the support period
Estimate	80%	The variance is +10 per cent. Estimates were made during the pilot phase of the program. As the program has matured, the outcomes for families remaining in their own homes or improving their housing has increased.
Actual	90%

Effectiveness—take‑up/coverage indicator: Percentage of Indigenous individuals accessing the program
Estimate	30%	The variance is –9 per cent. The original estimate should have read 20 per cent. The actual result was similar to the estimate indicated.
Actual	21%

Quality—client satisfaction indicator: Percentage of families with a program rating of ‘improved somewhat’ or ‘improved substantially’ as measured at the end of the support period
Estimate	60%	The variance is +22 per cent. Estimates were made during the pilot phase of the program. As the program has matured, the percentage of families measuring as the indicator of ‘improved somewhat’ or ’improved substantially’ has exceeded the Department’s expectations.
Actual	82%

Quantity indicator: Number of families assisted
Estimate	400 families per year	The variance is +408 families. The estimate was based on case‑managed clients. The actual number includes 357 casual clients who also received support.
Actual	808

National Housing Supply Council*

Quantity indicator: Facilitation of establishment of council including appointment of council members.
Estimate	Completion of appointments of council members	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements. Chair of council appointed on 23 April and members appointed 2 May 08.
Actual	Appointments completed

Quantity indicator: Report on the state of housing supply
Estimate	Annually	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements. First report due for completion 31 January 2009.
Actual	Annually

* These performance indicators were taken from the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

Establishment of an Office of Housing*

Quantity indicator: Facilitation of high–quality implementation plans for new housing initiatives delivered under the COAG Housing Working Group
Estimate	Level of stakeholder satisfaction with implementation plans	Implementation Plans for the Housing Affordability Fund, the National Rental Affordability Scheme, The Land Audit, A Place to Call Home and the National Housing Supply Council were signed off by COAG on 26 March 2008.
Actual	5

Quantity indicator: Number of implementation plans completed for new housing initiatives delivered by FaHCSIA
Estimate	4	The variance is +1. Implementation plans have been completed and endorsed by COAG for all five new housing initiatives.
Actual	5

* These performance indicators were taken from the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance is a non‑taxable income supplement payable to individuals and families who receive income support payments or an amount of Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB Part A) greater than the base rate, and who pay rent in the private rental market. Rent Assistance is paid to private renters, in recognition of the generally higher costs faced by people in private rental housing, who do not benefit from the longer‑term financial benefits of home ownership or the income based rents and security of tenure enjoyed by public housing tenants. Rent Assistance improves housing affordability for low and moderate income renters.

Price
Estimate	$2.36b
Actual	$2.28b

Effectiveness—affordability indicator: Impact of Rent Assistance on rental affordability—percentage of persons/couples paying more than 50 per cent of their combined income on rent after Rent Assistance taken into account
Estimate	Will reduce from 27% to 9% after Rent Assistance is taken into account at June 2008	The variance is +1 per cent. The increase in the proportion after Rent Assistance is taken into account is due to higher rent increases than forecast.
Actual	Reduced from 27% to 10%

Effectiveness—affordability indicator: Impact of Rent Assistance on rental affordability—percentage of persons/couples paying more than 30 per cent of their combined income on rent after Rent Assistance taken into account
Estimate	Will reduce from 68% to 36% after Rent Assistance, for June 2008	The difference between 68 per cent forecast and 66 per cent actual in the proportion of recipients who would be paying more than 30 per cent of their income in rent without Rent Assistance is explained by recipients having more earned income than forecast.
Actual	Reduced from 66% to 36%

Effectiveness—targeting indicator: Percentage of individuals and families paying enough rent to receive maximum assistance
Estimate	69% at June 2008	The variance is +2 per cent. Rent increases were higher than forecast.
Actual	71%

Quantity indicator: Average number of individuals and families receiving Rent Assistance
Estimate	985,000 for 2007–08	The variance is –41,099. The number of Newstart recipients was lower than forecast.
Actual	943,901

Social Housing Subsidy

The Social Housing Subsidy Program (SHSP) is a long‑term pilot project that subsidises the recurrent costs of financing additional rental accommodation for low and moderate‑income earners. Under SHSP, one pilot project operates to expand community housing opportunities in New South Wales.

Price
Estimate	$1.995m
Actual	$1.926m

Quantity indicator: Number of dwellings funded
Estimate	253	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	253

Supported Accommodation Assistance Program

The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) provides crisis accommodation and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and state and territory governments. The current SAAP Agreement (2005–06 to 2009–10) is known as the SAAP V Agreement. SAAP aims to help people who are homeless to achieve self‑reliance and independence by resolving crises, re‑establishing family links where appropriate and restoring the capacity to live independently. An evaluation of the program is to be completed by 30 June 2009.

Under the COAG reform process, negotiations are underway to develop the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA). The NAHA will include SAAP and CSHA. Subject to formal COAG agreement, the NAHA is expected to commence from 1 January 2009.

Price
Estimate	$175.616m
Actual	$175.616m

Cost indicator: Cost per client assigned a SAAP service
Estimate	$3,130	Data for 2006–07.The variance is –$39. The decrease was due to a higher number of clients than the previous year.
Actual	$3,091

Cost indicator: Cost per completed support period
Estimate	$2,100	Data for 2006–07.The variance is –$40. The decrease was due to a greater number of support periods than the previous year.
Actual	$2,060

Cost indicator: Cost per day of support
Estimate	$44	Data for 2006–07.The variance is –$10. The decrease is linked to the greater number of clients supported.
Actual	$34

Effectiveness—independence indicator: Percentage of clients who exited SAAP support to independent housing and did not return within six months
Estimate	45.4%	This indicator is under review due to the inability to ascertain the validity of the data calculation required.
Actual	Not available

Effectiveness—independence indicator: Percentage of clients with no income—comparison of the percentage before and after SAAP support
Estimate	Percentage of clients who did not have income and required income assistance was reduced from 18.5% before support to 5.9% after support	Data for 2006–07. The actual result was similar to the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	Percentage of clients who did not have income and required income assistance was reduced from 19.0% before support to 6.4% after support

Quality—access and choice indicator: Percentage of SAAP clients who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Estimate	17.1%	Data for 2006–07.The variance is +1.3 per cent. The slight increase could be due to the higher number of clients overall.
Actual	18.4%

Quality—access and choice indicator: Percentage of SAAP clients with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Estimate	10.8%	Data for 2006–07. The variance is –0.2 per cent. The actual result is similar to the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	10.6%

Quality—access and choice indicator: Total unmet demand for SAAP accommodation by adults and unaccompanied children
Estimate	3%	Data for 2006–07. The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	3%

Quality—assurance indicator: Service improved through increased percentage of SAAP clients with a case plan
Estimate	An agreed case plan in 59.2% of support periods	Data for 2006–07. The variance is –4.1 per cent. The decrease could be due to an increase in short‑term clients for whom a case plan is not appropriate.
Actual	An agreed case plan in 55.1% of support periods

Quality—client satisfaction indicator: Percentage of SAAP clients who express their satisfaction with the assistance they had received from the SAAP service
Estimate	91% of clients felt the service that they received was either good or really good	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	91%

Quantity indicator: Number of clients assisted annually
Estimate	106,500	Data for 2006–07. The variance is +12,300. The increase in clients could be due to a range of factors relating to new agencies operating under the Innovation and Investment Fund initiative and increased participation in the data collection.
Actual	118,800

Quantity indicator: Number of occasions of support
Estimate	180,000	Data for 2006–07. The variance is +27,700. The increase in occasions of support could be due to a range of factors relating to new agencies operating under the Innovation and Investment Fund initiative and increased participation in the data collection.
Actual	207,700

Policy services and program management

Price
Estimate	$3.110m
Actual	$3.044m

Quality—assurance indicator: Department ensures that service providers meet terms and conditions of funding
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	100%

Quality—assurance indicator: Research and evaluation is of a high standard (timely, fulfils terms of reference, complete, methodologically sound) and contributes to policy understanding and development
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements. Published AHURI research is now peer reviewed.
Actual	100%

Quality—assurance indicator: Service agreements/contracts that meet legislative, government policy and departmental requirements in place with all service providers
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	100%

Quality—client satisfaction indicator: Ministers and their offices are satisfied with the quality of policy advice and Department meets standards for policy advice
Estimate	100%	Ministers and their offices did not provide feedback on individual output groups, but did provide feedback on departmental performance as a whole. Further information on ministerial and parliamentary services can be found in Part 3 of this report.

Quantity indicator: Contribution to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) research activity
Estimate	16 research projects	The variance is +2. AHURI published 18 final reports in 2007–08, 2 more than forecast. This was because of publications carried forward from 2006–07.
Actual	18 research projects

Quantity indicator: Major pieces of research and evaluation completed
Estimate	2	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	2

Quantity indicator: Number of contracts/service agreements under management
Estimate	30	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	30

Quantity indicator: Number of items to Ministers’ offices
Estimate	360 items of ministerial correspondence 170 submissions and briefings	Detailed information on actual results for this indicator can be found in Part 3 of this report.

Quantity indicator: Number of service providers under management
Estimate	30	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the FaHCSIA 2007–08 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Actual	30

Service delivery

Price
Estimate	$68.084m
Actual	$66.642m

Quality assurance indicator: Service providers deliver services to the standards agreed with FaHCSIA
Estimate	100%	The actual result was the same as the estimate indicated in the 2007–08 FaHCSIA Annual Report.
Actual	100%

Quality—client rights and obligations: Control of incorrect payment and fraud in the Rent Assistance program: savings in administered items arising from targeted compliance activities
Estimate	$4.45m in fortnightly savings $3.82m annually in debts across FaHCSIA, DEEWR and DEST	The variance for fortnightly savings was –$1.2 million and variance in debt was +$0.59 million. Rent reviews are generated by particular sets of circumstances. More reviews were conducted than last year and a higher proportion resulted in debts and in reduced payments.
Actual	$3.25m in fortnightly savings; and $4.41m in debts

Table 2.17 Reviews and appeals—Output Group 4.1
Client rights and obligations indicator: Percentage of reviews and appeals where the original decision is changed
Payment type	Authorised review officers		Social Security Appeals Tribunal		Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Payment type	Reviews finalised	Percentage changed	Reviews finalised	Percentage changed	Reviews finalised	Percentage changed
Rent Assistance	441	40%	61	41%	11	27%

Case study—National Homelessness Strategy—Bright Futures Demonstration Project

Australian Government funding, provided through FaHCSIA’s National Homelessness Strategy, assists agencies to develop effective and practical support programs that help children and others in society who are homeless.

As part of the strategy, demonstration projects have been funded which trial and assess new assistance processes, share knowledge, raise awareness and/or promote best practice models.

Merri Outreach Support Services (MOSS) has accessed this funding to develop a specialist case management service delivery model that addresses the needs of homeless children. MOSS’s Bright Futures Demonstration Project has had such results as improved social and interpersonal skills, attitudes and behaviours and noticeable improvements in school engagement.

When eleven‑year-old Harry first came to the Bright Futures Program, he was anxious and suffering from the trauma associated with ongoing homelessness and from being assaulted. He was feeling very stressed at school and had been seeing a counsellor. There was a lot of uncertainty about whether Harry’s family would remain in the same house and whether he could stay at the same school.

Bright Futures’ case management staff worked with Harry outside the family home to address his anxiety and to develop strategies to cope. In speaking about his experience of the Bright Futures Case Management Program, it was evident that Harry had greatly appreciated the personal qualities of the staff and that participating in the program had provided him with many tangible benefits.

‘Jenny was a good role model—she helped me to work out issues like how to deal with all my homework—and she talked to my teachers about this. Being in Bright Futures helped me to get on better with other people. I took some of the group stuff back to my family and this was good. I don’t stress as much.’

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