Review backs Common Ground

HOBART  affordable housing provider Common Ground is value for public money, a ­report by the state’s Auditor-­General has found.

Elizabeth St Common Ground housing 2015

HOBART  affordable housing provider Common Ground is value for public money, a ­report by the state’s Auditor-­General has found.

The Common Ground board says the report is an end­orsement of the organisation’s approach to housinga mix of low-income and formerly homeless tenants.

As revealed by the Mercury in November, Auditor-­General Mike Blake agreed to examine the Common Ground model at the request of Treas­urer Peter Gutwein.

Mr Gutwein said the Government was concerned the model was significantly more expensive than other services.

Mr Blake’s report concludes Common Ground offered val­ue for money compared with alternative means of achieving equivalent outcomes.

It says the model was more expensive than other providers but “not unreasonably so”. The report says there was strong evidence the model prov­ided effective social housing.

Mr Blake recommended Common Ground be subject to a rigorous three-yearly review of all costs.

The Common Ground board welcomed the report as an endorsement of the organisation’s work.

Chairman Paul Lennon said the review would help it establish benchmarks and create a strategic direction.

“The rep­ort confirms CGT’s success in permanently housing chronically homeless peop­le, who had not been able to maintain permanent housing within current systems and services, prior to the establishment of Common Ground,” Mr Lennon said.

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said the Government would continue to work with Common Ground to ensure its sustainability.

Common Ground recently received a three-year funding extension from the State Government.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the report showed Common Ground was achieving positive outcomes for tenants.