Be a true partner of government in solving the housing supply challenge

As the voice of the community housing sector in Victoria, CHIA Vic is involved in providing high-level input to the Victorian Government through submissions, regular meetings and consultations.

Industry Working Group

The Industry Working Group continued as the key vehicle for the State Government to work in partnership with the sector, particularly around a growth agenda. In order to progress the agenda two sub groups were established to develop a 10 year social and affordable housing strategy and the other to critique development models in a growth environment.

CHARP

CHIA Vic developed and put to government the Community Housing Asset Renewal Program (CHARP) which proposed a model that would enable CHOs to redevelop homes on existing, ageing general lease stock – a cost effective method for providing more homes.

Describing Social Housing project

During the year, CHIA Vic began work in collaboration with the Housing Registrar and DHHS on a project to provide a shared understanding of all aspects of social housing, which will include a detailed analysis of the similarities and differences between public and community housing.

The project aims to examine the systems and modes of service delivery to produce a consolidated and concise paper that describes both public and community housing models, which can be used to inform sector and government discussions. It will also assist in external messaging about community housing, including to VHR applicants.

The mission, size, diversity of stock, funding sources and operational models of the two sectors will be documented, along with their tenancy management policies and housing services. It will also provide a description of the legislative environment within which the two sectors operate, as well as the legal protections available to tenants in both public and community housing.

Submissions

CHIA provided submissions on the Residential Tenancy Act Amendments and represented the sector in meetings with DHHS to advocate for amendments that support the operation of social housing rent and allocation models.

We developed a submission to the Inquiry into Homelessness in Victoria, which is expected to table its final report in November 2020. Our submission highlighted four key areas to reduce the level of homelessness in Victoria, namely: growing the supply of affordable housing; increasing the funding for wrap-around supports for those at risk of homelessness; housing and support for those who cannot sustain their tenancies without a high level of on-site support; ensuring the housing and homelessness system takes a culturally responsive approach with Aboriginal clients.

CHIA Vic drafted a submission to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on planning for affordable housing and provided a submission to the Royal Commission into Mental Health .

We also worked with members to develop submissions both on the Regulatory Impact Statement for the RTA Regulations, and in response to the discussion paper on options to address the risks of open flued gas heaters.

Input and representation

We continue to develop position papers, case studies, networking opportunities and resources as required on the current suite of growth initiatives, which include:

  • the Social Housing Growth Fund
  • low cost loans, NHFIC and other financing mechanisms
  • public housing estate renewals
  • Affordable Housing Agreements
  • Inclusionary Housing Pilots
  • other planning mechanisms
  • SDA housing

We briefed the DHHS Social Housing Reform unit about the impact of the changes to the RTA on community housing management, and:

  • attended the Regulatory Advisory Group meeting
  • supported the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in the assessment of the Inclusionary Housing pilots
  • took part in Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) consultation session on draft versions of the new forms for use by parties in RTA disputes, and the new Residential Tenancies Regulations.
  • participated in the General Lease Working Group
  • developed a paper on a model for redeveloping general lease properties
  • advocated for an exemption to the cladding levy with DELWP
  • participated in the newly-formed NDIS and Mental Health subgroup of the Industry Working Group.

We provided advice to the Victorian Government on the conditions that the sector believes need to be met for the Victorian sector to successfully join the National Regulatory Scheme (NRS). This included working with DHHS and the Housing Registrar on the NRS review and organising for the all-Victorian expert panel members to meet with our Board.

To promote better linkages between the community housing sector, support providers and the homelessness sector, we also participated in the Mental Health Victoria policy network and in the Housing and Homelessness peaks group.

Thanks to our Supporters

As a not-for-profit peak body, CHIA Vic relies on our strong membership base and the financial support of our major sponsors to be able to provide the vital services, support, training, advocacy and project work required by our sector. We would like to thank the following organisations for their assistance in 2019/20.

Our 2019/20 Sponsors

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