Government puts out EOI to transfer hundreds of homes to community housing providers

A controversial transfer of responsibility for social housing to the community sector has progressed, which the NT government saying will help deliver homes cheaper and faster.

A controversial transfer of responsibility for public housing to the community housing sector has progressed this week, with a call out to potential providers.

The government says the move will deliver cheaper social and affordable homes more quickly, admitting the Territory is “a long way off” its target of 11,430 new homes by the end of the decade.

An expression of interest was released on Friday to transfer an additional 269 public housing properties to the community housing provider sector to manage, bringing the total number to more than 1100.

These homes will be signed over under long-term agreements, the successful provider taking responsibility for asset and tenancy management.

Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit, as the NT government releases an EOI to transfer another 269 public houses to the community housing provider sector. Picture: Fia Walsh.

It is the third major transfer of existing properties to the community housing sector, and is intended to take place through a single transfer package in the greater Darwin region.

The provider will be granted $4.3m to support necessary repairs and improve the amenity of homes.

In April, 251 properties were transferred to Mission Australia Housing NT, and from July 1 250 homes will be managed by Venture Housing.

The transfer of a further 231 homes is currently under negotiation.

Some have criticised the transfer of responsibility for public housing out of government hands, citing concerns about transparency and accountability.

Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit said the move would improve outcomes for tenants and communities, and help to deliver a more financially sustainable social housing system.

“The transfer to the community housing sector is a key part of how we’re going to reach those 11,430 homes we need,” she said.

“The providers must be nationally accredited charities – so the profits they make go into building new housing stock.

“I’ve already seen the ability for them to build and repair cheaper than government can at the moment.”

Community Housing Industry Association NT co-ordinator Carol Atkinson and NT Shelter chief executive Peter McMillan, as the NT government releases an EOI to transfer another 269 public houses to the community housing provider sector. Picture: Fia Walsh.

NT Shelter said community housing providers had a proven track record of delivering housing in a way that is more sustainable and cost effective over the long run.

“There’s a number of benefits for non government organisations in providing social and affordable housing, that is they have access to income streams that government doesn’t have, by virtue of their charitable status,” chief executive Peter McMillan said.

“They also work well with local communities and tenants to keep their tenancies on track and work with our communities in a positive way.”

Community Housing Industry Association NT’s Carol Atkinson said Friday’s EOI marked the halfway point of the social housing transfers.

“We welcome this milestone and are keen to see all the planned transfers being finalised,” she said.

“CHIA NT, on behalf of the community housing sector is looking forward to transforming the delivery of social housing and being able to leverage the scale they can potentially achieve through more transfers and by being able to create better experiences and outcomes for social housing tenants and the broader community.”