there must be transparency and consideration of the views of tenants and local communities in deciding whether or not to proceed. As well as being retained, the existing stock must be better maintained and repaired. To this end we recommend: That the NSW Land and Housing Corporation regard tenants as being of central importance in the repairs and maintenance process. Tenants are well placed to identify and report any maintenance requirements, and to provide feedback on the quality of contractors’ work. That the Corporation be prepared to shift focus away from scheduled maintenance so that repairs can be addressed as and when they are needed. Maintain a schedule of planned works, but not at the expense of responsive repairs. That questions of maintenance and repairs, being landlord obligations, be reintegrated into the day-to-day work of tenancy managers. Client Service Officers should be able to raise work orders and liaise with contractors where required, in consultation with the Corporation. Financing growth In addition to making its own commitment to boosting social housing supply, the NSW State Government should work with other Australian governments to establish an enhanced National Affordable Housing Agreement that more clearly commits governments to growing the social housing sector. In particular, we support the recommendation of National Shelter that Australian governments establish a national social housing growth fund for the delivery of an additional 200 000 dwellings in social housing and affordable housing programs over 10 years. The amount of the growth fund would be $2.5 billion per year above existing funding arrangements, and allocated to States and Territories on a per capita basis. There should also be a reformed operating subsidy for existing social housing, allocated to States and Territories on a dwelling’ basis. ‘per The financing of social housing growth may be done as intricately (‘tax smart’ bonds, housing bonds, social benefit bonds, et al) or straightforwardly (grants of money) as governments choose. The Federal Government could choose to grant funds without issuing debt (as the issuer of the Australian currency, it does not need to get money from elsewhere). The NSW State Government could choose to grant State housing authorities additional funds, and if necessary borrow for that purpose. Its ability to raise funds for debt repayment by taxation makes it inherently more and eligible for cheaper debt than non-state entities.
there must be transparency and consideration of the views of tenants and local communities in deciding whether or not to proceed. As well as being retained, the existing stock must be better maintained and repaired. To this end we recommend: That the NSW Land and Housing Corporation regard tenants as being of central importance in the repairs and maintenance process. Tenants are well placed to identify and report any maintenance requirements, and to provide feedback on the quality of contractors’ work. That the Corporation be prepared to shift focus away from scheduled maintenance so that repairs can be addressed as and when they are needed. Maintain a schedule of planned works, but not at the expense of responsive repairs. That questions of maintenance and repairs, being landlord obligations, be reintegrated into the day-to-day work of tenancy managers. Client Service Officers should be able to raise work orders and liaise with contractors where required, in consultation with the Corporation. Financing growth In addition to making its own commitment to boosting social housing supply, the NSW State Government should work with other Australian governments to establish an enhanced National Affordable Housing Agreement that more clearly commits governments to growing the social housing sector. In particular, we support the recommendation of National Shelter that Australian governments establish a national social housing growth fund for the delivery of an additional 200 000 dwellings in social housing and affordable housing programs over 10 years. The amount of the growth fund would be $2.5 billion per year above existing funding arrangements, and allocated to States and Territories on a per capita basis. There should also be a reformed operating subsidy for existing social housing, allocated to States and Territories on a ‘per dwelling’ basis. The financing of social housing growth may be done as intricately (‘tax smart’ bonds, housing bonds, social benefit bonds, et al) or straightforwardly (grants of money) as governments choose. The Federal Government could choose to grant funds without issuing debt (as the issuer of the Australian currency, it does not need to get money from elsewhere). The NSW State Government could choose to grant State housing authorities additional funds, and if necessary borrow for that purpose. Its ability to raise funds for debt repayment by taxation makes it inherently more and eligible for cheaper debt than non-state entities.
TU_SHDP2015a.docx