The Office of Community Housing has the charter to undertake the strategic development of the community housing sector and promote client-focused and efficient service delivery.
The Office is entrusted with ensuring the community housing system is effectively managed, operates in the public interest, and is accountable to Government.
Since its establishment in July 1996, the Office of Community Housing has developed the infrastructure and framework to deliver a comprehensive range of planning, delivery and monitoring services. A streamlined reporting process and an accreditation system are two initiatives in this area.
As a priority, the Office of Community Housing is also developing strategies that promote a partnership approach to development of diverse, quality social housing. The aim is to provide genuine client choice by encouraging innovative community based projects that respond to increasingly complex housing needs.
15 June 2009
The new Housing Regulation 2009, which commenced on 1 May 2009, was developed through extensive consultation with the sector and will help to ensure financial viability, quality housing and continued growth in community housing.
The Regulation was made under the regulation making powers of the Housing Act 2001 (NSW).
The Housing Regulation 2009 outlines a regulatory code for community housing that providers must comply with in order to receive assistance from Housing NSW. Assistance is defined as funding, land, property and partnership arrangements.
The new regulatory system replaces the Performance Based Registration System.
Swimming Pools in Community Housing
12 June 2009
There has been interest in recent months about swimming pools and child safety in the home. When making decisions about retaining existing swimming pools or approving applications to install new pools, community housing providers should:
- carefully consider the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Swimming Pools Regulation 2008;
- be aware of your ongoing responsibilities and liabilities under the Act and Regulation - particularly with regard to swimming pool fencing; and
- discuss the associated risks with Marsh, your insurance broker on 1300 369 808.
Please refer to the NSW Office of Fair Trading website at http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ and your Local Council for further information about the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Swimming Pools Regulation 2008.
Latest edition of the Community Housing eNews
5th May 2009
The latest edition of the Community Housing eNews - April 2009 (PDF file, 550k), includes updates on the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, Stock Transfer Project, Community Housing Leasing Program Funding Reform, plus much more.