Liberal Government sets up first ever cross-sector Housing Taskforce in South Australia

For the first time, the State Government will bring together a diverse group of key representatives and stakeholders from across the housing sector and industry to drive new
housing solutions for all South Australians.

Affordable housing and its importance to South Australia’s economy, as well as ideas on how to improve housing options for the community, will be a focus of today’s inaugural meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy Taskforce.

The Taskforce will be chaired by SA Housing Trust Board Presiding Member Gary Storkey
and members include:

- April Lawrie, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People
- Andrew Cairns, Chief Executive Officer - Community Sector Banking
- Daniel Gannon, Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
- Greg Throughton, Chief Executive, Real Estate Institute of SA
- Helen Dyer, Deputy Presiding Member, State Commission Assessment Panel
- Maria Hagias, CEO Women's Safety Services SA
- Mel Blondell, Board Chair, Access 2 Place
- Michael Lennon, Managing Director, Housing Choices Australia
- Simon Schrapel, Chief Executive, Uniting Communities
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink, who will attend today’s meeting, said it was
an important milestone in the development of a new Housing and Homelessness Strategy
for South Australia.

“About 60 per cent of South Australian households are on low to moderate incomes, so many find it difficult to purchase or rent an affordable home,” said Minister Lensink.

“We want to work with industry to make more housing options available, especially for lower income families."

“Affordable housing is also important to our state’s economy, in terms of attracting and retaining people to live and work in South Australia."

“Affordable housing gives people the stability they need to participate in the community and underpins the state’s economy and population growth."

“The Taskforce will consider, amongst other things, how best to improve affordable housing options for people on low and moderate incomes, including private rental and homeownership."

“The development of our new Housing and Homelessness Strategy will be a genuine partnership between government and the housing sector, to find shared solutions to shared challenges.”

Community consultation will be undertaken as part of development of the new strategy later this year.