To continue to drive investment, boost our economy and improve housing outcomes for Territorians, the Territory Labor Government is developing a new model of social and affordable housing.
Currently the Territory has an aging public housing stock and there is a great opportunity to achieve economic benefits of large-scale transfers to the community housing sector to enable asset renewal and community regeneration, which is aimed at improving housing outcomes for social and affordable housing tenants and neighbouring communities.
This year the Territory Government released the Community Housing Growth Strategy 2021-2030 Discussion Paper seeking input from key stakeholders on promoting growth of the sector in the Northern Territory.
Now the Community Housing Strategy Modelling tender has been awarded to Paxon Group, who has a presence in the Northern Territory, and specialise in innovative models for social and affordable housing financing and operation. Paxon Group brings in depth expertise across the community housing sector, high level financial and modelling capability and an understanding of the unique Northern Territory context from past consultancies and work across the Aboriginal community housing sector.
This work will provide critical analysis to support the design of a housing reform program at a scale and pace not seen before in the Territory, and will:
Model up to 40 per cent or 2,500 urban public housing dwellings being transferred to the community housing sector within eight years;Produce delivery models that maximise opportunities by combining transfers with land for development or redevelopment, cash grants and transfer of head leasing programs; andLeverage further opportunities for Territorians under the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.
Findings from the analysis will inform the Community Housing Growth Strategy due for release in the coming months.
Quotes from Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing, Kate Worden:
“Finding new and innovative ways to revamp our public housing model which supports jobs, tenants and local communities is a win for the Territory.
“Territory-wide, almost 1,000 dwellings are managed by Community Housing Providers. It is important that we continually look at our public housing assets and see how sites can be redeveloped or managed to deliver the best outcomes for tenants and communities.
“This contract is another step towards developing the Community Housing Growth Strategy to drive reform and growth, and ultimately deliver improved outcomes for tenants and communities.
“The results of the modelling will be critical to inform the scale and timing of public housing transfers to the Community Housing Sector and how we can best use the National Housing Finance and Investment corporation fund.”
Northern Territory Government
