PROPOSALS to build 144 low-income homes in the Eurobodalla have been canned in the federal Budget, prompting condemnation from welfare group Anglicare.
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Two providers who had lodged applications last year to build homes under the National Rental Affordability Scheme learned in last week’s Budget the program had been axed.
Sydney-based Community and Aged Care Consulting Services had applied under round five of the scheme in August to build 132 modular one-bedroom units on a Batemans Bay site.
“We are very disappointed in the Commonwealth decision,” spokesman David Smith said.
Batemans Bay’s Southern Cross Community Housing had applied to build another 12.
CEO Marg Kaszo said her team had allocated 20 homes last year under the scheme in the Eurobodalla, with support from both the NSW and federal governments.
“The homes were either purchased new, or constructed by Southern Cross Community Housing Ltd, utilising local builders and tradespersons,” Ms Kaszo said.
“We would have provided another 12 properties in the Eurobodalla, if the submission was successful.
“The Eurobodalla area is recognised as having a high housing need by the NSW and Australian governments, and the loss of this funding stream will constrain our ability to meet housing need in the area.”
Ms Kaszo said it seemed counterproductive to defund a program that was working well for community housing providers, bringing private finance into the social housing funding stream and delivering for local people.
Meanwhile, with the shire last month declared for the fourth year running a “national black spot” in Anglicare’s annual survey of affordable rentals, the welfare group’s southern region CEO Jeremy Halcrow has accused the government of unfair policy.
“It is a disappointing decision that reinforces the unfairness of a budget far too heavily weighted towards cutting off pathways out of poverty for the lowest-income Australians,” Mr Halcrow said.
“Last week’s federal Budget deserves a ‘fail’ grade for fairness.
“What is most distressing is that the burden didn’t need to fall so harshly on the least well off.
“A key reason this Budget is unfair is that the government decided to delay meaningful reform of the tax system.
“This means that reductions in the generous tax deductions that tend to go to the wealthy and deepen the housing affordability crisis – such as negative gearing – were off-limits.”