24 September 2016

A Canberra Liberals Government will deliver a new approach to public housing management as well as innovative reforms to help public housing tenants achieve home ownership. Today we’re announcing a five pronged plan for the future of public housing in Canberra, Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder said today.

“First and foremost, the Canberra Liberals will reform the Shared Equity Scheme, whereby eligible tenants can purchase 70% of a Housing ACT Property, with 30% remaining with Housing ACT. Unfortunately there are major barriers to the take-up of this scheme and the Canberra Liberals will fix that,” Ms Lawder said.

“To encourage uptake and help more people transition to home ownership, we’ll explore options to; allow newer properties to be included under the scheme and include properties like duplexes or townhouses.

“Our other plans for housing include:

• A $125,000 independent review of ACT Public Housing.
• Implementing the Auditor-General’s 2016 recommendations on public housing management.
• Conducting an Undeclared Occupant Amnesty for public housing tenants, to ensure proper rent is being paid.
• Reinforcing public housing tenancy agreements and investigate further reforms to deal with disruptive and unacceptable behaviour.
  
  

“Like many aspects of local government management, public housing needs a new approach in the ACT. Our plans will help residents more easily transition to their own home and fix management of the system,” Ms Lawder concluded.