[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) National Rental Affordability Scheme “a drop in the ocean”

[Christopher Holley]

National Rental Affordability Scheme “a drop in the ocean”
 
Figures released today show the National Rental Affordability Scheme,
presented as a key plank of the Rudd Government’s housing policy, will
add only 200 units in 2008-9 to the stock of affordable housing in NSW.
 
“That is a very disappointing figure for NSW and a drop in the ocean
compared to what is need to assist the quarter of a million NSW
households currently in housing stress” said Sylvia Hale, the NSW Greens
MP and spokesperson on housing.
 
"Nationally, the story is not much better with a grand total of just
937 new affordable homes across Australia. ”
 
“Affordable housing supply is not keeping pace with population growth.

 
“Between September 2005 and September 2006 NSW’s net population growth
was 59,600, an average of  652 additional people each month. Yet, NSW
will receive funding for only 200 new units of affordable housing this
year.
 
“ There are approximately 250,000 households in housing stress In NSW -
that is, households where more than 30% of income is spent on housing.
 
“This scheme has been trumpeted as a great leap forward. Instead we
find it’s just a very small step. 
 
“The Federal Government is putting all its dollars into home ownership
subsidies. The First Home Owners grant should only go towards new, not
existing, housing so that it stimulates building activity rather than
just pushing up housing prices. It should also be means-tested so that
the greatest help goes to those who need it most.
 
“Renters - one-third of all Australians - are being ignored again. 
 
“The paltry nature of this program shows the Federal Government is not
serious in tackling the rental affordability problem.
 
“With the economic slowdown more people will lose their jobs and may
lose their homes. They will be made homeless unless more affordable
housing units are made available. We should be preparing for that, a
mere 200 affordable homes will not be enough,” concluded Ms Hale.
 
Contact: Chris Holley on 02 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546
[PTO for the figures for the Scheme]
 
 
 
>From the FASCHIA website:
The table below is a State and Territory breakdown of the number of
Incentives that have been offered by year. By June 2009 there will be
937 NRAS dwellings tenanted or ready to be tenanted. The 2800 National
Rental Incentives were offered in Round One as follows. [PTO]
 

State 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total 
ACT 56 0 - - 56
NSW 197 284 26 - 507
QLD 26 422 - - 448
SA 140 222 30 30 422
TAS 339 85 63 100 587
VIC 66 213 100 - 379
WA 113 144 104 40 401
Grand Total 937 1370 323 170 2800