Social housing delivers and can do more with greater investment

The Housing Australia Future Fund should be expanded so it can build more social and affordable homes after a new survey re-affirmed their positive impact on society, the Community Housing Industry Association said today. The National Housing Survey released today found social housing provided economic benefits to 97 per cent of tenants, health benefits to 96 per cent and social benefits to 93 per cent. Some 73 per cent of tenants were satisfied with the services provided by their housing organisation. Community housing organisations achieved the highest satisfaction rating of 76 per cent. Community Housing Industry CEO Wendy Hayhurst said the survey demonstrated the far reaching benefits of social and affordable housing. “This survey clearly shows that social housing has a hugely positive impact on tenants’ lives,” she said. “It comes as no surprise that having a safe and affordable place to call home improves economic, health and social wellbeing for the vast majority of tenants.” Ms Hayhurst also said the survey showed community housing organisations were successfully serving their tenants and should play a key role in building homes funded by the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund. “Community housing organisations received the highest satisfaction rating of all the types of social housing providers,” she said. “That said, the sector is in no way complacent and continually seeking ways to improve our services to tenants.” Andrew Hannan, CHIA’s chair said “We already have 6,000 new homes in the pipeline and the capability to develop, build and manage thousands more with government investment that also incentivises the superannuation funds to put in dollars too.” Australia needs to build around 12,000 new social and affordable homes per year to merely keep pace with growing demand. The CHIA is calling on the government to expand the Housing Australia Future Fund by annually topping up its initial $10 billion investment. Every dollar invested in social and affordable housing delivers $2 in benefits from health cost savings, reduced domestic violence and crime, better education outcomes and increased productivity.