Introduction
The Commonwealth Government has committed $42 billion through the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan (NBESP) which targets critical community infrastructure in education, social housing, transport and the environment.
The Social Housing Initiative is part of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan providing $6.4 billion to state and territory governments to substantially boost over the next three years the supply of social housing currently available for disadvantaged Australians.
This investment will see the construction of 20,000 new dwellings and the refurbishment of 45,000 existing dwellings.
The state and territory governments will be responsible, through their public housing agencies, for the delivery of this investment.
Final funding approval for projects will be given by the Commonwealth Government.
What the Commonwealth Government is looking for
Commonwealth Government Guidelines have been prepared for state/territory governments which set out arrangements for the administration and delivery of the New Construction element of the Social Housing Initiative, including procurement requirements.
The overarching objective for the Commonwealth Government through this Initiative is to create employment through the construction of 20,000 social housing dwellings over the next three years. The Commonwealth Government is looking for proposals that:
- can be commenced quickly
- increase the supply of social housing dwellings in a jurisdiction
- increase opportunities for people with highest needs on public housing waiting lists to attain social housing
- facilitate or support the transition of persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure, long term accommodation
- achieve universal design standards
- achieve environmental standards, for instance a 6 star energy-efficiency rating, where possible
- offer close proximity to services and amenities such as public transport
- enhance the capacity and growth of the not-for-profit housing sector
The Commonwealth Government Guidelines provide more detailed information on how proposals can demonstrate their ability to meet these preferences.
Time Frames
Timing is critical and states and territories are using a variety of methods and processes to identify proposals for construction of new dwellings. The timing for lodgement of construction proposals varies in each state/territory and interested parties should keep informed about tender opportunities.
All decisions need to have been made by the Commonwealth Government by 30 August 2009 at the latest.
What's happening in Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government has:
- Commenced an expression of interest process in relation to the immediate and future provision of new homes suitable for social housing, commencing with the spot purchase of 30 new homes across Tasmania suitable for occupancy prior to 30 June 2009.
- Held a series of regional information sessions across the state throughout March and April 2009 to communicate upcoming opportunities under the NBESP to the building/construction industry and community housing providers.
- Is in the process of enacting changes to its procurement guidelines and planning legislation in order to fast track the approval process for NBESP construction projects. These changes will apply to NBESP projects only and expire upon completion of the NBESP.
What's the process
The Tasmanian Government intends to call for submissions from the market for the provision of new social housing.
All new social housing constructs purchased in Tasmania under the NBESP Social Housing Initiative Stage 2 will need to clearly demonstrate that they meet the Commonwealth Government's key criteria:
What do you do to apply
To submit a proposal for funding in Tasmania, you will need to make an application under the Tasmanian Government's upcoming expression of interest process. Expressions of interest will be called against four major categories:
- Construction
- Design and construction
- Off the plan purchases
- Purchase of land
It is anticipated that the call for expressions of interest will be made in late April 2009. This process will be advertised in Tasmania's regional newspapers and interested stakeholders will be able to download further information from the Department of Health and Human Service's website.
There will be no need to register your interest with the Commonwealth Government or complete an Commonwealth Government application.
All proposals will be managed through the Tasmanian Government's Housing Innovations Unit (HIU). The proposals will need to comply with the procurement requirements that are established by the HIU, however you should ensure that the key information required by the Commonwealth Government to assess proposals is included in your application.
For more information
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to contact the Tasmanian Government's Housing Innovations Unit:
Ph: (03) 6236 5619
Email: Kristy Warren (kristy.warren@dhhs.tas.gov.au)
Website: Department of Health and Human Service's website