Commonwealth State Housing assistance is very important for households whose needs cannot be met by the private rental market, according to three reports released 24 January 2008 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The reports, Public rental housing 2006–07, Community housing 2006–07 and State owned and managed Indigenous housing 2006–07: Commonwealth State Housing Agreement national data report, show Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) housing helps those most in need.

Tracie Ennis, Head of the AIHW’s Housing Assistance Unit said, ‘People in crisis situations are one of the main target groups for these housing services, for example people who are homeless or people whose life and safety are at risk in their accommodation.’

About 43 per cent of new public rental housing allocations, 70 per cent of community housing and 26 per cent of state owned and managed Indigenous housing allocations, were made to those in greatest need.

Over half (58 per cent) of all new households in public housing, almost half (47 per cent) of new Indigenous-specific public housing and 68 per cent of new community housing allocations, were made to people in special need target groups, such as people with a disability.

Almost all households in public rental housing (98 per cent) and in state owned and managed Indigenous housing (95 per cent) paid 25 per cent or less of their income in rent. About 74 per cent of community housing households paid 25 per cent or less.

‘By offering dwellings at a reduced rate of rent, social housing helps people who cannot afford suitable accommodation in the private rental market,’ Ms Ennis said.

Of the approximately 378,000 assisted households, there were 333,000 in public rental housing, 33,000 in community housing and 12,000 in state owned and managed Indigenous housing.