Page 1296 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 11 April 2018
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problem is. There are many reasons that we find ourselves facing these housing affordability hurdles. One of them is the government’s strangulation of residential land supply in favour of exorbitant profits. It is one of the problems. This motion is silent on the blatant manipulation of land prices that neglects opportunities to address the affordable housing requirement. The Canberra Liberals believe that housing affordability should be tackled from a number of fronts and that one of the big fronts is the planning space in addition to the housing portfolio.
We do support the thrust of the motion in regard to reporting and methodologies for assessing housing supply requirements and the directorates who are accountable for such work. Transparency is crucial to helping those in public housing and those waiting for housing assistance. There is much data that we have to laboriously extract through questioning processes that could easily be provided by this government. Ms Le Couteur’s assistance would be invaluable on that front.
In conclusion, this side of the chamber will not be opposing the motion, for it does offer the prospect of easing the circumstances of those suffering from housing stress.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Women and Minister for Sport and Recreation) (4.42): I thank Ms Le Couteur for bringing this important issue into the Assembly. I move:
Omit paragraph (2)(a), substitute:
“(a) commit to growing social housing stock in Canberra through development and purchases in both new and existing suburbs;”.
I am proud of the public housing we have here in the ACT. It is a significant and far-reaching program that provides tangible benefits to thousands of people in Canberra. Through the ACT government’s housing stock of around 11,800 properties, we support 10,650 households in public housing, 744 households in community housing and more than 300 people in supported accommodation. In 2016-17, Housing ACT provided $142 million to the ACT community in the form of rent subsidies.
The contribution to an individual’s life outcomes by having a stable home can never be overstated. Without a home, it is hard to get up in the morning, it is hard to go to school, and it is hard to maintain community connections. It is almost impossible to get a job without a roof over your head. Your health and wellbeing can be compromised. Secure and affordable housing is a fundamental prerequisite for people to be included and participate in the community. The benefits provided by public housing have a ripple effect through the city and across generations.
This is why the government wants to see as many people in safe and stable housing as possible. I want to see people supported so that they do not become homeless. I want to see a thriving, affordable housing market in the ACT where fewer people are in rental mortgage stress. However, the gap between the supply of low cost housing and demand among low income households does continue to grow. This is the focus of
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