Review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (Productivity Commission Review) 

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia advocates for a broader social housing agreement approach, rather than the current “welfare housing” agreement. Urgent action is required to address the chronic shortfall in social and affordable housing.

We support calls made by National Shelter Australia, AHURI (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute) and recommendations made by relevant parliamentary inquiries.

Recommendations include:

• matching Commonwealth and state/territory government funding
• greater consultation between governments and key stakeholders
• development of a national housing strategy overseen by an independent statutory authority
• setting the national level of social housing at 10 per cent by 2036
• improving access to accurate information on dwellings
• subsidising Indigenous community housing and private housing (through capital gains discounts, negative gearing, or other tax concessional arrangements)
• increased funding for social and community housing and Commonwealth Rent Assistance.   

Download the full submission (PDF file)