Meeting housing needs: news

On May 8, the NSW Government announced that it had committed to funding $36 million towards the 12-month extension of the National Partnership on Homelessness, alongside $29 million from the Commonwealth Government. The Commonwealth, state and territory governments are continuing to negotiate in relation to funding beyond 2013–14.

Following a review of the Residential Parks Act 1998, NSW Fair Trading has released a draft Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill for public consultation. The draft Bill covers issues such as rules of conduct for operators and sanctions for non-compliance, mandatory education for all new operators, increases in site fees, enforcing community rules, disclosure of information to prospective home owners, and the process for owners who wish to sell their home on site. Submissions are due by 17 May 2013. Read about the draft Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill.

On 22 March 2013, expressions of interest have opened for specialist homelessness services to apply for funding in relation to the Going Home Staying Home sector reforms:

• An Innovation Fund is to help services to adapt their service delivery designs (this fund is being managed by Housing NSW) — expressions of interest close on April 19;
• An Industry Development Fund is to assist services to achieve organisational change (this fund is being managed by a partnership comprised of Homelessness NSW, the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement and Yfoundations) — expressions of interest close on April 26.

More information is available from Housing NSW, NSW eTendering (search under ‘Current’), Homelessness NSW, the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement and Yfoundations.

On 6 March 2013, NSW Fair Trading released a draft occupancy agreement for general boarding houses, for public comment. The Boarding Houses Act 2012, which partially commenced on 1 January 2013, provides that the Commissioner for Fair Trading may publish a standard form occupancy agreement for use in ‘general boarding houses’, use of which will not be mandatory. (A separate agreement will be developed by Ageing, Disability and Home Care for assisted boarding houses.) The draft occupancy agreement covers issues such as occupants’ right to quiet enjoyment, inspections and access, fee increases, utility charges, security deposits, termination, dispute resolution and written receipts. Feedback is due by 15 April 2013. Read about the draft agreement.

On 6 March 2013, NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care released a draft Boarding Houses Regulation 2013 and regulatory impact statement for public consultation. The draft regulation has been created under the Boarding Houses Act 2012, which partially commenced on 1 January 2013. The draft regulation covers issues such as particulars to be included on the Register of Boarding Houses, and accommodation and service standards and applications for ‘assisted boarding houses’. Feedback is due by 15 April 2013. Read about the draft regulation.