More than 19,300 homes have been approved for construction.
Generous land contributions by State and Territory governments
and leveraging by community housing organisations means that the
average cost of the new homes is below the original cost
estimate of $300,000.
In several States, the not-for-profit
housing sector is leveraging additional dwellings using capital
from the social housing program.
The Repairs and Maintenance program has resulted in a
significantly higher number of public and community housing
dwellings being repaired than originally anticipated. This includes major repairs to up to 10,000 run down homes
that would no longer have been able to be used as social housing,
far exceeding the original target of 2,500 homes repaired.
Implementation
The Australian Government has approved funding for Repairs and
Maintenance, and Stages One and Two (new construction) under the
Social Housing Initiative of the
Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. Funding for the Repairs and Maintenance element and Stage 1
has been provided over 2008-09 and 2009-10. The
Stage 2 program is funded from 2009-10 to 2011-12.
As at 31 March 2010, more than 71,500 dwellings across all
jurisdictions have benefitted from repair and maintenance works,
including 9,300 dwellings that have been returned to stock or
upgraded for continued occupation.
Stages One and Two (new construction) has seen construction begin
on nearly 13,800 dwellings as at 30 April 2010.
This includes over 1,200 dwellings that have been completed.