More than 13,700 social and affordable homes will be built, and the first release of money from the Albanese Government’s signature housing fund will be given to states this week. Source: The West Australian.
The allocation of the inaugural funding from the Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord coincides with a political fight over the rest of Anthony Albanese’s housing plan.
The money will go towards building 4200 social homes and 9522 affordable homes across the country.
It is anticipated construction will start on about 5500 of these before the end of June next year.
The split of how many are in each state will be announced today.
However, the Government says the announcement unlocks $9.2 billion in funding across the Commonwealth, states and territories, and private and community housing sectors, on average of about $670,000 per home.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said it signalled the Commonwealth was back in the game.
“We want to reduce the stress of housing for Australians – the long waits on housing lists, the long queues for rentals, the out-of-reach deposit for first home buyers – we’ll reduce these issues if we build more houses, and that’s what these projects do.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who grew up in social housing, said he knew how important having a roof over your head was.
“The first round of funding under our Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver thousands of social and affordable homes across Australia for those that need it most,” Mr Albanese said.
The Senate today is slated to debate bills for the shared equity Help to Buy scheme and to offer tax breaks to developers taking part in build-to-rent schemes.
So far, neither the Coalition nor the Greens back the bills, meaning there is no pathway for them to pass.
FULL STORY
Housing cash flows amid Senate fight over more help for buyers (By Katina Curtis, The West Australian)
