“HIA welcomes the announcement that the Housing Australia Future Fund is progressing towards fruition,” stated Jocelyn Martin, HIA Managing Director.

“The fact that the Albanese government and the Greens have finally reached an agreement means we are a step closer to getting on with the job of supplying Australians with the housing they need,” added Ms Martin.

“The arrangements mean there is a commitment for a $10 billion investment towards the construction of at least 30,000 social and affordable housing over a five-year period. The announcement of an additional $1 billion will be invested in the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to support new homes also signals the Government’s recognition of the need to deliver homes to those who need them.

“The need for greater housing supply in Australia has become more acutely apparent in recent years.

“The rebound in immigration, acute rental shortages and tight labour markets are fuelling demand for housing across Australia, driving rents and dwelling prices ever upwards.

“It is a relief to see this important enabling legislation has passed through parliament and that the need for greater housing supply across the housing continuum is being taken seriously.

“The Australian government recently announced that it wants to see 1.2 million homes built over the five years starting July 2024, as part of its National Housing Accord.

“It is important to recognise that the commitment to supply 30,000 social and affordable homes via the Housing Australia Future Fund represents only 2.5 per cent of this aspirational target.

“The private sector will still have to do most of the heavy lifting in terms of meeting Australia’s housing needs, and it is being constrained by policy that inflates the costs of home construction and finance.

“Broader reforms are required to reduce these costs and aid the private sector in enabling the delivery of these targets:

• Planning systems need to facilitate more higher density residential development in existing suburbs near jobs and transport.
• The release of greenfield land and provision of infrastructure needs to be expedited.
• Punitive taxes on both investors and owner occupiers need to be abolished and replaced with fairer and broader sources of revenue.
• Financial regulations need to make it easier for banks to lend and potential home buyers to borrow.

“Without these broader reforms, the pressure on social and affordable housing will only increase, and the government’s latest announcement will prove inadequate,” concluded Ms Martin.