As part of a $224 million package, the government of New South Wales will research the possibility of employing modular homes to increase the housing supply.
In advance of the state budget that will be presented on Tuesday, the state administration announced that the new research package will tackle housing insecurity, which may then assist lower the waiting for Social Housing.
The funding would increase access to temporary Housing and give a boost to the state’s specialized programs for the homeless population. The plan would also include research financing to investigate various solutions for modular Housing in order to expedite the construction of much-needed dwellings.
Rose Jackson, who is the minister in charge of Housing, has stated that a safe house is more than just a piece of infrastructure; rather, it is a place where people may raise their children.
“We know that it is too difficult for a lot of young people and young families in this state to have that home, and we recognize the challenge,” she said to reporters on Saturday. “It is too hard for too many young people and young families in this state.”
The package would consist of $70 million to speed up the construction of social and affordable Housing, $35.3 million for housing services for Indigenous individuals and families, and $35 million for the maintenance of already existing social Housing.
In addition to that research, it would set aside $11 million in emergency financing for temporary Housing, $15 million to bolster services for the homeless, and $20 million specifically for Housing for people with mental health issues.
However, Scott Farlow, who is the housing spokesperson for the opposition, stated that the administration will never be able to provide the number of homes that it has promised.
He stated that the recent cancellation of a public housing construction in the town of Coffs Harbour, located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, indicated that Labor was not serious about affordable Housing.
“It’s strange that the government would put $70 million toward accelerating the delivery of social and affordable homes, primarily in regional NSW,” Farlow said, “when just last week they cancelled much needed projects like the Argyll Estate redevelopment.” The homes in question will primarily be located in rural areas of the state.
According to Housing Now, a significant partnership of corporate, union, and advocacy groups, the community expressed a desire to see investments made in a variety of different housing options.
“When you are struggling to keep a roof over your head, it is very difficult to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, raise a family, run a business, or pursue a career,” said David Borger, the chair of the alliance. “It is very difficult to pursue a career.”
“The increase in funding for public housing maintenance is essential to reducing the vacancy rate and ensuring that valuable social housing does not sit idle while the public housing waiting list grows.”
The government would also do away with any existing incentives for electric vehicles, such as rebates for purchases and exemptions from stamp tax, on the grounds that they push up prices rather than encourage purchasers to make purchases.
On Saturday, the Premier, Chris Minns, responded to claims that the change will result in less financial incentives for people interested in purchasing ecologically friendly automobiles.
The government has stated that a $260 million investment will be highlighted in the budget in order to supercharge the uptake of electric vehicles. This commitment will include infrastructure initiatives and upgrades that prioritize regional New South Wales, renters, apartment residents, and individuals who do not have access to home chargers.
It was anticipated that some of the funded projects would include the installation of fast chargers on commuter routes, an increased number of kerbside chargers near apartment towers, and expanded grid capacity as well as charging hubs to service fleets.
nonetheless, some of the existing incentives will be phased out beginning January 1, 2024; nonetheless, consumers who have previously placed a deposit will still be able to take advantage of the program’s benefits, even if their electric car is not delivered until after that date.
Minns stated that the elimination of the discounts will not cause anyone to decide against purchasing an electric vehicle.
According to the research facts that we got from the Treasury, the subsidy was simply being added to the sticker price, so as a result, you’re seeing a rise in the price of automobiles, he stated.
“Anyone who owns an electric vehicle will tell you that the number one challenge is charging stations, and that is exactly where we are going to put our money,” said the CEO of ChargePoint, a company that develops and operates charging stations.
The council said that since the NSW subsidies were introduced, sales had increased by 450%, and the price of the most popular electric vehicle models had decreased by $8,000 in that time.
