2023-09-11
Greens pressure has secured an additional $3 billion in funding for Public and Community Housing through negotiations on the Federal Government's Housing Affordability Future Fund Bill after securing agreements that the Greens have now agreed to support in the Senate.
This additional funding is a direct result of the Greens' negotiations for their support of the HAFF bill in the Senate where the Greens hold the balance of power. The funding will be a significant step towards addressing the ongoing housing crisis that has plagued our communities.
Mandy Nolan, Greens candidate for Richmond stated:
“Not long ago Labor claimed there wasn't a single dollar more available for housing. Today we see the result of the Greens' hardline negotiations on the HAFF bill, an additional $3 billion in funding for public and community housing.
“Pressure works. Because of the Greens, the HAFF will have a minimum spend of $500 million per year. Because of the Green $3 billion that otherwise would not have been spent will now go towards helping those facing housing insecurity.
“Labor's plan will not entirely solve the housing crisis, but the additional funding secured by the Greens will make a real and immediate difference. We have successfully advocated for this funding to support our legislation.
“Our region is on the frontline of the housing crisis, with some of the highest rents and greatest number of rough sleepers in the country. This additional funding will have a direct impact on the housing crisis across the Northern Rivers.
“The community came out in support of the Greens in a big way, including right here in our own backyard, with a grassroots campaign driven by volunteers to send a message to the Government that we demand more spending on public housing. Today's decision shows community campaigning works.
“It’s disappointing that Labor continues to reject the Greens' demands for renters, wasting the opportunity at National Cabinet to cap and freeze soaring rents. We’re putting Labor on notice, we’re not going to stop. We have a massive national campaign machine that is fighting for our community and to genuinely fix the housing crisis.
“I’m proud to be part of a party that takes the housing crisis seriously and uses its position of power to deliver for Australians who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. I’m running for the seat of Richmond to put the Greens in an even greater position of power so we can deliver outcomes like this that help the most vulnerable across our country.
Summary of outcomes from Greens pressure:
- Immediate $1 billion for public and community housing through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF SAH)
- Immediate $2 billion to the social housing accelerator fund
- Closed the "no minimum spend" HAFF loophole, and forced Labor to guarantee a $500 million annual spend starting 2024-25. Previously, the government could spend anything from $0 annually up to the $500m cap.