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Public housing reforms reflected in national survey

Released 31/01/2008

Recent reforms of social housing in the ACT have reflected positively in the Report on Government Services (ROGS), released today.

The Minister for Housing, John Hargreaves has welcomed the 2008 ROGS, which again highlighted improvements in the management of public housing and community housing in the Territory.

Mr Hargreaves said the ACT achieved superior performance in a number of areas.

“I am again pleased with the ACT’s record in targeting available housing to those most in need,” he said. “According to ROGS, 87.3% of new allocations are going to households in greatest need, compared to only 42.8% nationally.

“This reflects the focus of Housing and Community Services ACT to provide support for people who are disadvantaged or experiencing a crisis. This outcome was supported by reforms to the Public Rental Housing Assistance Program, changes that have also contributed to significantly reducing waiting times for tenants most in need.

“ACT public housing is also being efficiently utilised. As of 30 June 2007, tenants occupied 98.6% or almost all public housing stock. This is higher than the national average occupancy rate and Housing ACT continues to improve the utilisation of public housing stock by reducing vacancy times between tenancies.

“ROGS also indicates that social housing tenants in the ACT are least likely to experience overcrowding compared to social housing tenants in other jurisdictions. At 30 June 2007, less than 1% of public housing households were overcrowded and 0.5% of community housing households.”

Mr Hargreaves said that the ACT had reduced its cost per dwelling in 2006–07 to $6,842, moving towards the national average and placing the ACT at the lower cost end of the smaller jurisdictions.

“This is a significant reduction from the previous year and reflects savings of $14.5 million per annum and the introduction of extensive service delivery and administrative reforms.

“These savings in 2006-07 assisted a $30 million expansion of public housing over three years, enabling the initial acquisition of 25 properties for families in need.”

Mr Hargreaves said public housing tenant satisfaction has remained relatively steady since 2005, with two thirds of tenants reporting they were satisfied, or very satisfied with their housing.

Statement Ends