Builders will be announced this week to construct thousands of affordable homes throughout Australia under the Federal Government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan and Sustainability Minister Tony Burke this week announced NRAS round four which will deliver over 200 projects to build more than 17,000 properties for low to moderate income households to rent below market rate.

The Government says the plan provides a welcome boost to the domestic construction industry where conditions remain soft due to the lingering impacts of the Global Financial Crisis, and the withdrawal of stimulus.

“We provided support to domestic construction when the worst of the Global Financial crisis hit and initiatives like NRAS, continue to provide an ongoing pipeline of work for the sector,’’ Swan said.

NSW: more than 4700 properties (including in areas affected by this year’s floods); taking the number of properties supported under the program to 6,800

Queensland: more than 5600 properties (including in areas affected by this year’s floods and other natural disasters); taking the number of properties supported under the program to 11,200

Victoria: more than 900 properties; taking the number of properties supported under the program to 6,900

WA: up to 2300 properties to date; taking the number of properties supported under the program to at least a 5,000

SA: more than 400 properties to date; taking the number of properties supported under the program to at least 1,800

Tasmania: more than 1000 properties; taking the number of properties supported under the program to 1,600

Northern Territory: more than 400 properties taking the number of properties supported under the program to 1,600

ACT: more than 1500 properties, taking the number of properties supported under the program to 2,600

The privately-owned developments range from studio apartments right through to large family homes, and are located in areas identified by state and territory government partners where affordable rental accommodation is most needed, particularly in areas with employment, transport, schools and other services available nearby.

The projects also incorporate sustainable building design to maximise energy efficiency and provide a comfortable environment with reduced running and infrastructure costs for tenants.

Swan said: “Over the next five years the Gillard Government will invest $15 billion on rental assistance through the construction of new public housing and rental assistance.”

The National Rental Affordability Scheme is about increasing supply of new affordable rental housing, reducing rental costs for low and moderate income households and encouraging investment and innovative affordable housing.

All these properties are newly constructed under the NRAS program — either recently completed and never previously occupied, or a new construction to be completed.

The scheme is being delivered in partnership with state and territory governments and works by providing annual financial incentive payments to the business sector and community organisations to construct and rent new dwellings to eligible low and moderate income households at a rate that is at least 20 per cent below the prevailing market rates over 10 years.

Burke said: “While there are many issues affecting underlying housing affordability, the Gillard Government is making an unprecedented investment to increase the supply of affordable housing across the nation — and families are saving thousands of dollars every year in rent as a result.”

The Government has committed to support 50,000 NRAS properties, with up to 35,000 dwellings across the country by 30 June 2014, and the remaining 15,000 by 30 June 2016.

To date 4,178 privately-owned dwellings are tenanted or available for rent across the country under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

NRAS complements other Government initiatives to improve the community’s access to affordable housing, including the $450 million Housing Affordability Fund and the $100 million Building Better Regional Cities program.

The assessment of NRAS applications is undertaken jointly between the Australian, state and territory governments, with state and territory governments determining the number of dwellings to be supported in each area based on local needs and priorities for affordable housing.

A full list of successful applications will be available as agreements with NRAS proponents are finalised by Friday 7 October at www.environment.gov.au.

Architecture & Design Team

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