The federal government’s proposal to axe an affordable housing funding agreement with the states would be the “death knell” for public housing, Housing for the Aged Action Group said.
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The government last week flagged it would cut the $9 billion National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) in the May budget, citing mismanagement by state and territory governments.
The agreement supports Housing for the Aged Action Group’s (HAAG) Home At Last service, which rehomes older people at risk of homelessness into public or social housing.
HAAG co-manager Fiona York said the funding agreement between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments went back to the 1940s.
“Although it’s been dressed up as Kevin Rudd initiative it’s actually not, it’s something that has been going on for over 60 years and although it hasn’t been perfect this is currently the only federal funding that is given for housing affordability in Australia so to lose that is the death knell to public housing.
“It puts all the responsibility back on the states to deal with their housing crisis.”
Before Home At Last Allan Bradshaw was paying $160 a week for a rooming house in Melbourne’s outer surburbs.
The 66-year-old now has a public housing unit in Bacchus Marsh for almost $50 less a week.
“Without this option I would have been stuck in an unsafe rooming house where I had to pay $160 a week for a small room.
“I shared with four other men, all younger than I. I’m 66, that place was hazardous to my health. I had no idea how long I could stay there.”
Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar told The Australian the value of the “spend” needed to be questioned after the 2017 Report on Government Services revealed affordable housing stocks had declined since the Rudd Government’s policy launch in 2009.
HAAG said the government had “contributed” to the perceived failure of NAHA by reducing funding to the scheme over time despite lobbying from community groups that warned resources were inadequate in the face of growing demand.
Victoria’s Housing Minister Martin Foley said NAHA, which also funds women’s refuges, was critical in supporting housing and homelessness services in the state.
“(Social Services Minister) Christian Porter’s cuts could see almost 56,000 Victorians unable to access housing and homelessness support,” Mr Foley said.