It recommended that rent assistance be reviewed by the federal government as a priority.
Housing and homelessness services are mainly a responsibility of the states and territories, but the federal Government provides about $1.6 billion every year through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA).
The review was tasked with looking at the NHHA, which aims to improve Australians’ access to secure and affordable housing. It was scathing of how the agreement operated and stated it had done little to improve affordable, safe and sustainable housing for all.
Commissioner Malcolm Roberts said the agreement was largely administrative and did not encourage reform.
“The NHHA is intended to improve access to affordable housing, but it is ineffective,” Mr Roberts said.
FULL STORY
Productivity Commission suggests redirecting support from first home buyers to people facing homelessness (By Stephanie Borys, ABC News)
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The review has cast a scathing light on the state of Australia's housing sector. (ABC News/Nic MacBean)