Iemma Government delivers on State Plan housing commitment

Minister for Housing, Matt Brown said the Iemma Government will invest $763.2 million in 2007/08 to maintain a strong and fair social housing system in NSW.

Mr Brown said this is a $51 million increase over the 2006/07 budget and allows the Iemma Government to continue the substantial Reshaping Public Housing reform agenda and to ensure the future housing needs of more than 440,000 people are met now and into the future.

This investment includes:

• $235.9 million for the construction of 1820 new public housing homes and continuation of 2659 existing leases and the addition of 389 new leases from the private market
• $128.1 million for the construction of 697 new community housing homes and subsidies for 5,642 existing leases and 90 new leases
• $19.1 million for the construction of 75 new homes to be managed by the Aboriginal Housing Office and Aboriginal Community Housing providers
• $16.8 million for repairs and maintenance on homes managed by Aboriginal Community Housing providers
• $9.1 million to commence the construction or enter short-term leases for 69 new homes and continuation of 245 existing leases to support people who are in crisis or homeless
• $1.1 million for upgrading and maintenance work on crisis accommodation properties, including modifications for people with a disability
• $17.7 million on affordable housing initiatives. This includes $8 million from a $30 million grant by the Rental Bond Board for affordable housing initiatives over the next three years
• $49.9 million for new homes for the elderly as part of the Iemma Government's Older Person's Strategy
• $202.1 million to improve and upgrade existing public, community and Aboriginal housing
• An additional $191.1 million on responsive day-to-day repairs and upgrades to properties
• $26.9 million has been allocated to RentStart which pays start-up costs for people in need to rent a home in the private rental market
• $10.2 million towards the Special Rental Subsidies which will allow people with a disability and people with HIV/AIDS to remain in private accommodation and pay public housing rent.

"This investment demonstrates that the Iemma Government is delivering on its commitments under the State Plan and working to strengthen our social housing sector," Mr Brown said.

"This year we are investing a further $103.2 million over and above our obligation under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement which further demonstrates our commitment to providing services to those most in need in NSW," Mr Brown said.