Social Housing Initiative
The Social Housing Initiative will stimulate the building and construction industry, both through funding additional dwellings and increasing expenditure on repairs and maintenance. This will help stimulate businesses which supply construction materials and help to retain jobs in the industry.
The $5.638 billion Social Housing Initiative is the largest commitment by any Government in Australia to social housing and is a key component of Nation Building- Economic Stimulus Plan.
More than 19,300 new social housing dwellings will be built under the Initiative with the assistance of the not-for-profit sector. Approximately 70,000 dwellings will benefit from the repairs and maintenance element of the Initiative.
Projects from the Social housing initiative
The images below are some examples of the work undertaken as part of this initiative.
What has the Initiative achieved so far?
- Repairs and Maintenance has been completed on 43,884 individual dwellings (as at 31/01/10).
- 21,490 dwellings have also benefited from repairs to common areas.
- Construction has commenced on 10,115 new social housing dwellings (as at 04/3/10).
- 645 new social housing dwellings have been completed (as at 04/03/10).
Who will benefit from the new dwellings and repairs and maintenance work?
- Disadvantaged Australians, particularly those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
- Current tenants will benefit from upgrades to their social housing.
What type of social housing is being built?
- Detached dwellings/ Apartments/ Townhouses
- States and Territory Governments have advised that 97 per cent of dwellings proposed under Stage 2 (some 16,155 dwellings) will achieve a six star energy efficiency rating.
- It is expected that 99% of all new dwellings funded under Stage 2 will incorporate six minimum universal design elements to make properties more accessible to people who are ageing or live with disabilities
Where is the new housing being built?
- The new dwellings are located in major cities, inner and outer regional areas and remote and very remote areas across Australia.
- The locations are identified by States and Territories as meeting high priority needs.
- The Economic Stimulus Plan website shows the locations of all the new social housing.
What is happening in each State and Territory?
National Office Contacts
For additional information please email socialhousinginitiative@fahcsia.gov.au