In April 2007, I was appointed the Minister for Housing. It was a position that I had asked for and one which I was pleased to accept. I believe public housing is the foundation stone of social justice and equity in a fair and decent society.
Overview
Housing NSW is the largest landlord in Australia, and our 146,000 properties
across the state provide shelter, security and peace of mind to some
340,000 people in this state.
Many of these people are vulnerable, elderly or suffer from mental illness or
physical disability. Some have, or are currently experiencing, very difficult
times in their lives. Our properties ensure that these people are provided
with stability, and a place where they might start to improve their lives.
Strengthening our public housing system is a key commitment of
Premier Iemma and a goal I am proud to pursue.
Delivering on Our Commitments
Over the past financial year, Housing NSW has delivered some major victories. The success of the Reshaping Public Housing reforms, which saw the implementation of
new tenure, water and rent charging policies, is a tribute to the hard work
and diligence of the staff of Housing NSW. These policies have resulted in
tenants using water more responsibly. This, coupled with the agency’s water saving device retrofit of 70,000 properties, has lowered our total water usage by 29 percent over the last year.
In 2006, the NSW Government, after many years of intractable social
problems, took the difficult decision to dismantle the Gordon Estate in
Dubbo. Recently, I met a first-home buyer who had purchased one of the
former public properties for herself and her young family. Her spirit was
characteristic of the positive new attitude that is taking root among local
residents and the wider community in Dubbo.
I am also pleased to report that, despite a significant reduction in funding from the Federal Government, for the fifth consecutive year we have reduced our housing register from 80,000 in 2002/03 to 45,000 in 2006–07.
A part of this success is attributed to the many construction and redevelopment projects that Housing NSW are constantly undertaking to renew and increase our housing stock. Over the past year, we have built 883 new properties, commenced
building 1,276 properties and have upgraded 8,400 more.
Our Priorities
In the coming year, we are committed to further reducing the housing
register by providing a range of products to assist suitable tenants to
move into the private rental market. This will also increase the amount of
housing available to Australia’s most vulnerable.
On 23 April 2007, I launched the NSW Planning for the Future: Community Housing Strategy, which sets a target to increase the community housing sector from 13,000 to 30,000 homes over the next 10 years. This ensures more people are able to access affordable housing and appropriate support services.
Small-scale joint ventures
To increase our public housing stock, Housing NSW will explore the use
of small-scale joint venture projects. This will rapidly deliver new housing
through better use of the agency’s existing resources.
Reforming maintenance
Providing decent, well maintained homes to our tenants remains a key priority, and this financial year will also see a strong focus on resolving the complex issues associated with managing our diverse and ageing property portfolio.
Environmental sustainability
More now than ever, it is clear that our business must be undertaken in a way
that is environmentally sustainable. To this end, I have directed Housing
NSW to build on its recent successes on water saving measures and solar
energy to investigate how further gains might be made, with a particular
focus on how our agency may move toward becoming carbon neutral.
Future Challenges
My imperative and foremost goal is to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of Housing NSW. This is in light of recent announcements by the Federal Government to potentially withdraw from the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement. This
agreement has two purposes. It embodies the worthy principle that the provision of public housing is a joint responsibility of the Federal, state and territory overnments, and it provides the fiscal means by which that principle is realised. Housing NSW relies on this funding to support homes for the 140,000 tenants
across NSW.
With the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement due to expire in 2008, I am committed to working closely with colleagues from the states and territories in negotiating an agreement with the Federal Government that provides stability,
security and fairness for our tenants.
A Big Thank You
Finally, I congratulate Mike Allen in his first full year as the Director-General of Housing NSW, and thank his staff for their dedication and hard work. I
look forward to the good work and achievements that Housing NSW will
deliver for our tenants and the people of NSW.
The Hon. Matt Brown MP
Minister for Housing
Minister for Tourism