National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing

The National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing contributes to achieving outcomes such as:

  • people being able to rent housing that meets their needs,
  • people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness achieving sustainable housing and social inclusion, and
  • Indigenous people having improved housing amenity and reduced overcrowding.

The agreement facilitates the Social Housing Growth Fund, in which the Commonwealth Government provides:

  • $200 million in 2008-09
  • $200 million in 2009-10

Under the agreement, the states and territories will increase the supply of social housing, providing approximately 1600 to 2100 additional dwellings by 2009-10, and provide opportunities to grow the not-for-profit housing sector.

Proposals for funding must meet the following key requirements:

  • involve the construction of new social housing dwellings;
  • add to the supply of social housing dwellings within a jurisdiction;
  • all projects funded through this Agreement must be completed and ready for occupation within two years of funding being allocated; and
  • provide an appropriate response to an area of unmet need for social housing within the jurisdiction.

In addition to the key requirements, proposals should also meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • projects that facilitate or support the transition of persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure, long term accommodation;
  • projects that adhere to universal design principles that facilitate better access for persons with disability and older persons;
  • projects target improved housing opportunities for Indigenous Australians;
  • projects that support the growth of the not-for-profit sector; and
  • projects that offer new and innovative approaches that will support a more effective and efficient provision of social housing.

The Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments have also agreed to develop options for reforms to:

  • address supply shortfalls; and
  • propose a possible part of Commonwealth funding for social housing through means such as the Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

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Implementation

The National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing requires parties to enter into Implementation Plans.

The Social Housing Implementation Plans are joint Implementation Plans between the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing and the Nation Building and Jobs Plan (Social Housing Initiative).

Details on projects and funding for the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing are at Schedule A of each Social Housing Implementation Plan.

The Schedule A’s of the Social Housing Implementation Plans reflect approved dwellings to be provided under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing up to June 2011. The details in these schedules have been agreed between the Commonwealth Housing Minister and the relevant State/Territory Housing Minister.

Jurisdictions may request amendments to these schedules to reflect changes to the projects they are delivering. Replacement schedules will be published once agreed between Ministers.

Copies of the Schedules are provided below.

Copies of the Social Housing Implementation Plans are available on the Federal Financial Relations website (www.federalfinancialrelations.gov.au)

Related information

 

Content Updated: 8 March 2013