The federal government has released the first budget of its parliamentary, in which it is aiming to address the supply of sustainable social and affordable housing.
In announcing the National Housing Accord, the government outlined an ambition to build 1,000,000 well-located homes over the course of five years, beginning in mid-2024. This includes $350 million in the budget for 10,000 new affordable homes over 5 years, with state and territory governments to deliver up to another 10,000 additional homes.
The budget allocation comes on top of the 30,000 affordable and social homes to be delivered via Housing Australia Future Fund, which was announced as part of the government’s election platform.
The Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed the treasurer’s announcement, stating this allotment in the budget is a first step in delivering a generational plan for affordable and social housing.
The Institute said that problems with the current housing model relate not only to supply, but the frequency of overcrowded dwellings that are costly to run due to low energy efficiency, and are unresponsive to people’s needs relating to ability and inclusion.
The Institute’s national president Shannon Battisson said that housing is a basic human right and should be recognised as such through fiscal policy and a solid supply chain.
“A decades-long, funded strategy will help to overcome the challenges of housing stress and unaffordability, and ultimately make Australia a better society where everyone has a home,” said Battisson. “Bipartisan support is necessary to make this happen.”
The Institute said it also supports the government’s action on climate change, with additional funds set aside for clean energy projects.
“We note the announcement to establish the National Reconstruction Fund including investment to support the manufacture of technologies that drive renewables and lower emissions,” said Battisson. “We hope for a national construction supply chain focus on increasing Australia’s capacity to manufacture high-quality and sustainable building materials, components and fittings.”
The Institute added that Australia should have a national construction supply chain strategy to increase sovereign capacity and ensure the ready availability of high-quality, low-carbon construction materials.
“With better local manufacturing capacity and government oversight, Australia can be a world leader in the development and manufacture of sustainable products. This will help to accelerate our vital transition to a low-carbon industry, while reducing our reliance on international products.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
