Media Statements - Housing Strategy WA launched for public consideration

14/09/05

The State Government today launched a comprehensive new housing policy framework which aims to ensure that housing is affordable, sustainable and accessible to all Western Australians over the next 20 years and beyond.

Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan said the Housing Strategy WA Discussion Draft, which has now been released for public comment, provided a blueprint for a new style of housing system - one that provided housing diversity in response to these demographic and market pressures.

“The housing sector is facing significant change, created by rising house prices, low interest rates, an ageing population, the emergence of smaller households and dwindling low-cost housing stocks,” Mr Logan said.

“Guidance is needed to ensure that housing is built, maintained and run in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner so that all citizens have access to housing that meets their reasonable needs and is within their means to pay.”

The Minister said the discussion draft identified five major strategic goals:

guiding the system to deliver quality housing by providing an effective policy framework and streamlining regulatory instruments;

encouraging home ownership and keeping it as an achievable goal;

increasing the supply of affordable private rental homes;

providing a strong Government-backed housing safety net; and

housing the most vulnerable people in the community, including people with disabilities, the aged and indigenous people.

Mr Logan said the document identified many innovative strategies that could now be considered by the wider community. They included:

the development of affordable and sustainable house-and-land packages which should include best practice water management, energy ratings, passive solar and universal design;

incentives for affordable housing where developments that provide land specifically for target groups can attain higher yields;

development of effective housing and finance products, including shared equity, capped interest rate loans and home equity finance for elderly home owners who may need to modify their housing;

initiatives aimed at matching tenants to private rental landlords who are willing to lease for periods of more than five years;

reform of the community housing sector, allowing them to attract private finance;

establishment of one or more not-for-profit housing companies with charters to develop and manage subsidised housing projects; and

partnerships to increase the supply of student accommodation.

Mr Logan said the public consultation period would run until the end of February 2006, allowing time for the community to consider the document and respond. But this period could be extended.

“Briefings to local government and other agencies and peak bodies will run through October and November,” he said.

“Public workshops are also expected to be run in selected metropolitan and regional centres.”

Copies of the document can be obtained from the Department of Housing and Works or from the website: http://www.dhw.wa.gov.au/housingstrategywa/hswa.cfm

Comments can also be lodged on an online form, by email or by post.

Following the consultation process, a final draft incorporating relevant comments and suggestions will be compiled for the consideration of the State Government.

Minister's office: 9222 8950