Builders Welcome Housing Affordability Fund

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15th September 2008, 04:28pm - Views: 1039





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Media Release





15 September 2008


BUILDERS WELCOME HOUSING

AFFORDABILITY FUND


Statement by Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer


The launch of the Government’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) is an important and vital first step in

tackling the systemic supply problems facing home buyers, according to Master Builders Australia, the

peak body for the building and construction industry.


Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said: “The HAF is a welcome return of the

Commonwealth into this vital part of the Australian social fabric and the economy.  There has been a

decade of policy neglect in addressing the supply side barriers and the HAF is supported by industry

as a first and vital step in redressing this area of policy neglect.


“The lack of housing affordability remains a major challenge despite the recent reduction in interest

rates.


“Dealing with delays in state and local government planning processes and increasing demand for

community infrastructure are the essential keys to solving Australia’s systemic underlying housing

affordability challenges.


Master Builders particularly welcomes the $30 million HAF allocation to fast track the national roll out

of an electronic development assistance (eDA) system.  This is something that the industry has

agitated about for at least five years and should prove to be a major technological step forward in

streamlining development approvals.


Master Builders also welcomes the HAF guidelines which will see funding going to projects based on

merit and need rather than equally distributed amongst states and local governments.  This should

ensure that tax payer’s dollars are targeted to areas of immediate and urgent need.


Master Builders, in its submission to the establishment of the HAF, called for a holistic approach to

ensure that funding only goes to best practice projects that can be adapted and adopted in the future

so that the targeted $10,000 cost savings can be passed on to all future home buyers.


To maximise benefits it is critical that lessons learned from HAF funded projects form the basis for

future policy action, particularly in areas such as the development of appropriate funding mechanisms

by state and local governments for community facilities that are consistent with ensuring housing

affordability remains an achievable goal.



For further information contact:  Wilhelm Harnisch

Mobile:  0402 039 039






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