Increase diversity in the market by introducing a new affordable house and land product.

To provide for affordable housing the Minister for Planning has approved a Planning Guideline on Compact Block Housing for New Estates which will assist in increasing the range of housing alternatives in suburban estates while ensuring that residential amenity is maintained. This will provide opportunities and market entry points for housing choice for compact blocks of up to 250m².

The LDA has introduced the OwnPlace initiative that offers affordable house and land packages to eligible home buyers. 

Ensure that the land released each year provides a range of appropriately priced block sizes in diverse locations.

A range of block sizes are now available in the LDA estates.

Require 15 percent of the blocks released each year target house and land packages within the $200,000 to $300,000 price range; (10 per cent for $60,000-$120,000 land).

Future estates will include the requirement to provide 15 per cent affordable house and land packages.

The Village Building Company has already exceeded this target with the development in West Macgregor achieving 162 house and land packages for less than $300,000, and a further 120 packages targeted at the affordable housing market ($300,000 - $350,000).

Work with the industry to establish one or two demonstration villages showcasing affordable land and housing packages.

Demonstration housing projects to promote innovation and excellence in design are included in estates at Franklin and Dunlop.

Release two new demonstration projects with about 25 per cent of the housing targeted at households of medium income or lower.

Demonstration housing projects will be provided by the Village Building Company in Franklin and Dunlop estates.

Incorporate examples of highly sustainable and accessible housing in the demonstration villages packages.

The LDA and ACTPLA are working with the Village Building Company to develop examples of sustainable and accessible housing.

The LDA is working with Village Building Company on a rolling house building program, with a minimum of four dwellings at any one time on each site for demonstration.

Work with the industry to enhance apprenticeship training and other skills development in the demonstration villages.

One of the principal partners in the Crace Joint Venture, PBS, has developed a long association with the Master Builders Association (MBA) Group Training scheme, and is providing opportunities for training and skills development as part of the apprenticeship and cadetship programs.

Introduce an annual Excellence in Housing Affordability Award with a total prize value of $20,000 to encourage excellence in affordable dwelling construction and design.

In 2007-08 the ACT Government committed $20,000 to support the HIA/ RAIA collaborative Affordable Housing Design Competition, and the MBA Special Affordable Housing Award. A number of awards have been presented as a result, demonstrating the many innovative design opportunities for affordable housing in Canberra.

Support has also been committed to the Housing Industry Association Affordable Housing Award for October 2008.