Questions and Answers
1. What is the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper?
The Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper has been prepared by the Australian Government to inform consultations with community housing providers, tenant organisations, financiers, property developers, construction companies and State and Territory governments, about the national regulation and development of not-for-profit affordable housing providers.
Feedback from the consultation process will help guide the future policy direction to support the provision of affordable housing by the not-for-profit housing sector.
2. Why is the Government releasing Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper?
Housing Ministers agreed on 25 September 2009 to the development of a public discussion paper on the community housing sector including the approach towards a single national regulatory system and prudential supervision.
The paper addresses the role of regulation in protecting the interests of tenants, funders and housing providers and the need to strengthen the provision of Indigenous Community Housing. It also addresses the need to find new sources of funding to expand the supply of affordable housing.
Key questions are posed around each of these issues to stimulate discussion and shape responses to the discussion paper.
3. What is the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper trying to achieve?
The discussion paper sets out some of the issues that need to be considered in order to create a solid base for the future expansion of community housing. The aim is to prompt new ways of thinking and to seek input from the sector and other interested parties into the formulation of clear policy direction to support the growth and sustainability of the not-for-profit housing sector in Australia.
4. Why is the Discussion Paper seeking submissions?
It is anticipated that many contributions will be made across a variety of sector stakeholders.
The consultation process aims to encourage the involvement of representatives from across the community housing sector and recognises the importance of individual perspectives.
Public consultation sessions will take place in May 2010 to allow for interested parties to provide comment on the discussion paper. The feedback received throughout this process will further inform the policy direction and scope of work that will be undertaken regarding the future of the community housing sector.
5. What are the target groups for the consultation process?
The Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper is targeting a range of key stakeholders as part of the consultation process including:
- Community Housing Owner/Developers
- Community Housing Tenancy Managers
- Community Housing Tenants Indigenous
- Community Housing Organisations
- Community Housing Peak Bodies
- Private sector developers/construction companies
- Key Finance and Investment Bodies
- Community Housing Regulators
- State government housing authorities
6. What are the timeframes for the consultation process?
In the development of the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper, a number of community housing sector peak bodies and interested stakeholders were consulted regarding areas of direct expertise. The paper has been circulated through the State government network and the Housing and Homelessness Policy and Research Working Group (HHPRWG) seeking feedback on themes and content prior to publication.
In releasing the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper, the Government will also host a series of national consultation sessions throughout May 2010. Public consultation sessions will be held in all capital cities and in three regional areas with high concentrations of community housing.
Targeted workshops will be held in May 2010 to glean input from key sectors – State government community housing regulators, the development and construction industry and the finance industry.
Members of the public can provide submissions either online or by mail, with 4 June 2010 being the final date for acceptance of all submissions.
7. Where are the public consultations being held?
Public consultation sessions are proposed in the following areas:
| Sydney | 03 May 2010 |
| Newcastle | 04 May 2010 |
| Wollongong | 04 May 2010 |
| Brisbane | 07 May 2010 |
| Canberra | 10 May 2010 |
| Darwin | 11 May 2010 |
| Cairns | 13 May 2010 |
| Perth | 13 May 2010 |
| Adelaide | 18 May 2010 |
| Melbourne | 20 May 2010 |
| Hobart | 24 May 2010 |
8. What will happen at the public consultation session and who will be present?
Consultation sessions will run for approximately 2 hours. The sessions will summarise the issues in the discussion paper and enable participants to put forward their views in a structured discussion process.
9. Who can attend these consultations?
Public consultation sessions are open to members of the public upon registration. Further information on the venue in each location will be provided upon registration.
10. How do I register my interest to attend these consultations?
Interested parties can contact 1800 919 511 to register interest and reserve a seat. Places will be limited according to venue in each location, and it is advisable to register early to avoid missing a place on the day.
11. Will the Government be holding a consultation session near me?
Consultation sessions will be held in all capital cities and a number of regional centres. People who are not able to attend consultation sessions are encouraged to put in a submission.
12. How can I provide my submission about the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper?
There is further opportunity for you to comment on the discussion paper. A web link on this site is provided that will seek initial registration from individuals prior to making comment.
13. Why do I need to register?
Registration of submissions will allow the Government to capture the location, subject relevance and other information in relation to each submission. Providing this information along with each submission will enable effective analysis of responses, and allow these submissions to be referenced and utilised in the Government response and future policy discussions.
14. What about people who don't have access to a computer?
Submissions can also be sent by post to:
Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector
Submissions
PO Box 7101
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610
15. When do Submissions Close?
4 June 2010 is the final date that submissions will be accepted for this process. Submissions sent by post are to be postmarked 4 June 2010 or they will not be accepted.
16. How much is 'all this' costing the tax payer?
The cost of developing the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper will be met from the Department’s existing budget.
17. Where can I get a copy of the Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector Discussion Paper?
Copies of the Discussion Paper can be downloaded from this web site.
You can also can call 1800 919 511 and ask for hard copies to be sent to you.
18. Why isn't the consultation period longer?
A lot of work will need to be done post consultation to assimilate and consider the breadth of ideas put forward in consultation forums and submissions and to inform the Government's response to COAG.
19. How will my submission be incorporated?
A team within the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will carefully review and analyse all submissions. This will inform the development of the Government response to COAG.
The response will provide useful input into assessment of the capacity of the community housing sector and what may be required to maximise its future growth potential. Information received from the consultations will be drawn on in working with the community housing sector to develop and fully realise the capacity of the sector and its role in contributing to the provision of affordable housing.
The response will acknowledge the key themes, ideas and responses to the consultation and submissions received, and this will be made publicly available later this year.
20. Can I make a submission anonymously?
Yes.
21. Will submissions be made public? Can I read other people's submissions?
The Government intends to publish its response on the FaHCSIA website, and this response may include content and themes drawn from individual submissions. Unless submission writers state clearly that they would like to keep their submissions confidential, the content presented can and will be made available publicly upon request. Individuals and organisations may choose to publish their submissions on their own websites.
22. How will the Government involve State and Territory governments?
Addressing the issues raised in the discussion paper will require a national response. Partnerships across all levels of government, the community and business sectors, and at the local community level will be encouraged.
In developing the response to the discussion paper and submissions, the government will work closely with States and Territories to develop ideas and agree on priorities. The forums in which these key themes will be examined include The Housing and Homelessness Policy and Research Working Group (H&HPRWG), The Housing Ministers Advisory Committee (HMAC), The Housing Ministers Conference (HMC) and the Council of Australian Government (COAG) working groups.
23. Who and what is the Housing Ministers Conference (HMC)?
The function of the Housing Ministers' Conference (HMC) is to provide a forum for the formulation of nationally consistent policies on welfare and low income housing issues. Members include Ministers with primary responsibility for social housing portfolios in the Australian and State and Territory Governments and the New Zealand Housing Minister.
Representatives from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) have observer status.
24. Who and what is the Housing Ministers Advisory Committee (HMAC)?
The Housing Ministers' Advisory Committee (HMAC) comprises the heads of Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies with primary responsibility for housing issues especially public, community and indigenous housing.
25. Who and what is the Council of Australian Governments (COAG)?
The Council of Australian Government (COAG) is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).