State Governments to shed light on housing plans

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni will outline key reforms from the forthcoming Queensland housing strategy at the AHURI Homelessness and housing solutions conference which will be held in Brisbane on March 31st next. 

In a media statement issued by the Minister just before Christmas, Mr deBrenni said that "more than 1,870 people had given their views on what should be in the Housing Strategy in 76 consultation and engagement sessions in areas from Thursday Island to the Gold Coast and west to Mt Isa and Roma. There were also 869 responses to online surveys, and 188 written submissions from residents, community groups, industry organisations, businesses and not for profit groups."

He also said that “Improving the diversity of housing and housing design were common themes, reflecting the government’s focus on advancing our cities and regions.People also want to see a fair and responsive housing assistance system, with better supports for people when they need it. It’s about making sure people don’t fall through the cracks.”

Meanwhile, in Victoria,the Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Community Housing Federation of Victoria are hosting an event during which the Victorian Treasurer, The Hon. Tim Pallas  will discuss the role the State Government is taking to support affordable housing provision and discuss opportunities for strategies, investment approaches and partnerships to deliver.

The event will provide participants with an opportunity to:

• Hear from the Victorian Treasurer on the actions and investments the Government is making to increase affordable housing supply;
• Engage with a cross-representation of industry participants through a panel discussion on progressing affordable housing delivery and opportunities for partnerships;
• Further your understanding of affordable housing programs, delivery and management;
• Network with industry representatives across the for-profit and not-for-profit development sectors who share an interest in increasing affordable housing supply. 

Event Details for CHFV event: 
Wed 1 Feb 2017, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
RACV City Club - Club Pavilion, Level 2, 501 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000
Member Prices $ 60.00 / Non-Member Prices $ 90.00 (Prices include GST)
Register now: www.udiavic.com.au/Events/IFFEB17

Registration information regarding the AHURI conference in Brisbane can be found here.

• Turnover, staff to property ratios, qualifications, unplanned absence
• Salaries, expenses and on-costs
• Detailed salary comparisons for a wide range of community housing roles
• Board remuneration
• How many CHPs are remunerating directors and at what level?

• Portfolio size (number of properties per tenancy / housing management staff member)
• Average portfolio size for asset managers (number of properties per asset management staff member)
• Skills based boards
• Skills on boards
• Updated job families for more detailed salary comparisons
• Updated unplanned absence indicators

 Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change argues that  Housing plays a significant part in addressing Family Violence, and the plan states: “Over 2,800 public housing properties will be redeveloped and more than 1,000 new social housing properties will be built to provide safe, affordable and secure housing for vulnerable Victorians.”

1. The release of Plan Melbourne Refresh, this policy will guide urban planning in the city for the next 30 years, and must address housing supply and affordability. This should provide for pilots of Inclusionary Zoning mechanisms.
2. The Government's response to the independent recommendations put forward by Infrastructure Victoria that the Government must prioritise social housing, and work to meet the shortfall of 30,000 dwellings.
3. The Affordable Housing Statement to be released by the Treasurer of Victoria that will seek to provide a whole-of-government response to housing affordability. 
4. Announcements from the Minister for Housing that there will be a reform of the social housing system in the state, including some form of stock transfers.