The Australian Institute of Architects welcomes the announcement of the National Housing Accord to improve housing outcomes for all Australians by increasing the supply of sustainable social and affordable housing.
The Treasurer has announced the government’s commitment to see one million new affordable and well-located homes built over 5 years from 2024 bringing together states and territories, local government, investors, and representatives from the construction sector.
The Institute’s National President Shannon Battisson said “housing must be recognised as a basic human right, and it should be supported by a generational plan for affordable and social housing. This budget announcement is a first step in delivering this vision.
Problems are not just about the numbers of dwellings but dwellings that are overcrowded, costly to run due to low energy efficiency, design that is unresponsive to the needs of people with various disabilities, nor co-designed with residents or communities to create positive and inclusive communities.
“A decades-long, funded strategy will help to overcome the challenges of housing stress and unaffordability, and ultimately make Australia a better society where everyone has a home. Bipartisan support is necessary to make this happen.”
This strategy needs to be backed up with a solid supply chain strategy to ensure there are resources, materials and skills, to deliver homes to meet demand.
We are pleased to see that the Treasurer has listened to peak bodies such as the Institute in saying that “peak organisations for the construction sector support building these homes at a high energy efficiency rating.”
Housing energy efficiency is a good initiative toward addressing climate change. The Institute also supports further action on climate change noting that the legislated 43% emissions reduction target by 2030 is a minimum target. We support the restored role of the Climate Change Authority, investment in First Nations expertise and investment into low carbon manufacturing.
Australia should have a national construction supply chain strategy to increase sovereign capacity and ensure the ready availability of high-quality, low-carbon construction materials.
“We note the announcement to establish the National Reconstruction Fund including investment to support the manufacture of technologies that drive renewables and lower emissions. We hope for a national construction supply chain focus on increasing Australia’s capacity to manufacture high-quality and sustainable building materials, components and fittings.
“With better local manufacturing capacity and government oversight, Australia can be a world leader in the development and manufacture of sustainable products. This will help to accelerate our vital transition to a low-carbon industry, while reducing our reliance on international products.”
For media enquiries contact:
Rosanne Barrett on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects | M. +61 0425 420 024 | hello@barrettcomms.com.au
