Speaking about Federal Budget 2022, Scott Langford, Group CEO of SGCH, NSW’s largest community housing provider, welcomed Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget with home at the heart. 

“The Albanese Government is to be applauded for grasping the nettle and providing national leadership on housing. Too often judged too difficult and with dispersed accountability, housing policy and funding has long failed to deliver better housing outcomes for all Australians. The Government has taken up the task and the Housing Accord announced in the budget provides a foundation stone on which to build a better housing system.” 

“Recognising that reform needs to consider the whole spectrum of housing – from homeless to homeowner – the Housing Accord and the National Housing and Homelessness Plan can bring together all levels of Government, the private sector and community housing providers to align commitment and accountability for outcomes.”  

“Regulated Community housing providers are crucial stewards of public benefit and can bring together capital and capability working with the private sector and Housing Australia to leverage government commitments into more homes. We are encouraged that the Accord commits the Commonwealth to work with community housing providers to ensure achievement of targets for social and affordable housing are met.”  

“SGCH currently serves around 11,500 people living in 7000 homes across Sydney where we can provide services to support people to connect to opportunity with the foundation of a safe and affordable home. To date, together with investment and delivery partners including Housing Australia, we have mobilised over $534 million of investment to provide over 1,000 new social and affordable homes. But we know there is an urgent and significant need for more homes. With the right policy settings and a larger scale commitment from governments for funding and pipeline certainty we can see a pathway to unlock the door to significantly more homes for more people.” 

“Delivering one million homes over five years from 2024 will deliver a boost in overall supply, and this must include substantial increases in social and affordable housing. We commend the Budget commitments to provide significant initial funding for new social and affordable housing, targeting 30,000 new social and affordable homes over the next five years via the Housing Australia Future Fund, and a further $350 million to support a further 10,000 affordable homes over the same period. Combined with state and local government commitments, this is a great start.”  

“As Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ said, our resilience depends on a robust affordable housing market that delivers security over the longer term for everyone, irrespective of their stage in life and their circumstances.” 

“The Prime Minister, Treasurer and Housing Minster Julie Collins have made clear that housing is at the heart of the community, the economy and the budget. With our proven track record and committed investment and delivery partners, we stand ready to play our part. We look forward to working with all levels of government and partners to build on the foundation and get on with the urgent task of delivering more social and affordable housing.”  

ENDS

About SGCH

• Founded in 1985, St George Community Housing (SGCH) is Australia’s most experienced provider of sustainable, safe and affordable housing. We house around 11,500 people in over 7,000 homes across Greater Sydney.
• Bringing capability and capital together, we have mobilised $534 million of investment and work in partnership with governments, the private sector and investors to increase the supply of social, affordable and key worker housing – homes that are the foundation for our customers to connect to opportunities and build their communities.
• We take a place-based approach, working with communities to offer localised activities and engagement that is tailored to their needs and aspirations.
• With a focus on ESG, we build to a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating as we deliver over 1,000 new homes, Australia’s largest non-government pipeline of social and affordable housing.

Media contact Michelle Moore-Fonseca 0423 412 150 | michelle.moore-fonseca@sgch.com.au