The federal government is considering whether Australia should adopt a more consistent national definition of affordable housing, after independent MP Nicolette Boele asked whether Labor would support a common approach for key workers including nurses and teachers.

Boele told Question Time that more than 12,000 Australians had signed a petition calling for a national approach to affordable housing.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, answering questions for Housing Minister Clare O’Neil while she was away, acknowledged that states and territories currently use different definitions of affordable housing.

Chalmers said the government was aware of the differences and was examining the issue. He said O’Neil had asked Treasury to assess the definitions and frameworks currently operating across Australia and consider options for greater consistency.

Under the Housing Australia Future Fund, affordable tenancies are required to have rents set at a 25% discount to market rents. Chalmers said that approach differs from definitions and programs used in other states and jurisdictions.

“We do think that’s an important objective,” Chalmers said, referring to greater consistency in affordable housing definitions.

The discussion comes as governments across Australia use different housing programs and eligibility settings, making the meaning of “affordable housing” dependent on the scheme and jurisdiction involved.

The federal government has not yet announced a single national definition. The Treasury work will examine the existing approaches and what options may be available for greater consistency.

Source: The Guardian