Commonwealth State Housing Agreement - Funding Indigenous Housing
The Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement (CSHA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and each state and territory government which sets out the framework for housing assistance and includes guiding principles, funding amounts and major housing program elements. The 2003 CSHA has been agreed for the period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2008. The Australian Government will provide grants estimated at $4.75 billion over the life of the 2003 CSHA paid fortnightly in advance to states and territories who will provide housing assistance to people unable to access alternative suitable housing options. The program is about the supply of appropriate, affordable and secure welfare housing.
The grants are comprised of base funding and three tied programs and feature indexation for the first time.
Public Housing: Base Funding
It is estimated that around $3.73 billion will be provided under the 2003 CSHA primarily for public housing, which is owned (or leased) and managed by the various state and territory housing authorities. It provides assistance to people on low incomes, including those who are at risk of homelessness, in urgent housing need, in crisis, or otherwise unable to obtain appropriate housing in the private rental market. Base funding is used to acquire, maintain and redevelop public housing - which currently comprises around 354,000 dwellings Australia wide. Base funding is also used by some states and territories to provide limited home purchase assistance and private rental assistance.
Aboriginal Rental Housing Program (ARHP)
It is estimated that around $487 million will be provided under the 2003 CSHA for Aboriginal rental housing. The primary purpose of the
Aboriginal Rental Housing Program (ARHP) is to achieve more effective Indigenous housing outcomes. Recent priorities for ARHP have included a focus on providing housing in rural and remote areas; provisions for maintenance and upgrades; and training for community housing providers in the Indigenous housing sector.
Community Housing Program (CHP)
It is estimated that around $328 million will be provided under the 2003 CSHA for the Community Housing Program, primarily for capital purposes to encourage rental housing provision by community groups, such as churches, welfare organisations and local government, for people on low to moderate incomes, including those with special needs. As at 30 June 2003 community housing stock levels funded through the CSHA totalled 29 367 dwellings.
Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP)
It is estimated that around $203 million will be provided under the 2003 CSHA for the Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP). The majority of funds are used for the purchase, construction, renovation, maintenance and lease of dwellings to provide for crisis accommodation services funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, including youth and women's refuges and services for the homeless.
