Page 231 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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Until now, the ACT has had only one way of assisting home buyers, and that is through the Commissioner for Housing loans scheme. In the Minister's statement last week, she said that she would expect advice on the improved operation and targeting of the scheme. I endorse this view. The current income criteria should be examined and the scheme should receive much better publicity. Over the years it has helped many thousands of families in the ACT, but more effective use could be made of these funds through more innovative lending strategies.
The Commissioner for Housing loans scheme should not be the sole method for the ACT Government assisting home buyers. We consider that the ACT Housing Trust should sponsor construction of houses for sale to home buyers, as happens in other States. In addition, the option of rental purchase from the Housing Trust could fill an important gap in ACT assistance to first home buyers. Similarly we support the sale of Housing Trust dwellings to tenants, provided that it is subject to some tight criteria.
It is not acceptable for the Housing Trust to sell off its dwellings in inner urban areas where it is important for the trust to maintain its land holdings to provide potential for future urban renewal, to ensure that low income families have the opportunity to live close to community services and work opportunities. I am aware that the Housing Trust released a draft sale to tenants policy late last year. That policy should also be closely examined in the process established by the Government.
While my address so far has concentrated on home ownership strategies, do not take this to mean that my party places public rental housing as a lower priority. The No Self Government Party will not support a reduction in the role of the Housing Trust in rental housing, and the number of houses available should increase in line with the growing need in the community. The rental housing programs of the Housing Trust should be reviewed, and we believe that the trust should make greater efforts to encourage tenant participation. Both housing cooperatives and tenant participation are important ways of involving the clients of the trust and would encourage greater tenant responsibility and control of their housing circumstances.
The Government should not overlook the needs of special groups in the community, and I was pleased to see the terms of reference reflect the needs of those groups. We have had a recent report on youth homelessness and demonstrations by young people outside Parliament House drawing attention to their homelessness. It is important for the Housing Trust to address these special needs.
Also the special needs of aged people cannot be forgotten. While the Housing Trust has given some priority in recent years to aged persons units, expenditure in this area will need to increase as the proportion of aged people in the
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