NCOSS, the NSW Federation of Housing Associations and Shelter NSW seek your help to highlight one of the solutions: much more new affordable rental housing subsidized under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

NRAS involves the provision of Commonwealth and state subsidies for approved providers to build new rental housing that is then offered to eligible households at least 20% below the market rate, and is currently the only growth program for social housing and intermediate housing. Between now and the March 2011 state election, we must try to persuade the major parties to commit to a better deal for affordable rental housing under NRAS.

For a background brief on this issue, please download the special factsheet NRAS - Fulfilling the Potential (also see Resources below) 

Please act NOW! We need as many NGOs and individuals as possible to contact the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition.

Text of suggested message:

"Dear Premier/Leader of the Opposition

A serious shortage of affordable rental housing is one of the biggest problems facing low to moderate income households in NSW.

Please commit your party to provide sufficient matching state subsidies so that NSW receives at least 30% of all future National Rental Affordability Scheme funding rounds, and combine in-kind state contributions with NRAS subsidies to make it easier to build and retain long-term affordable rental housing in high cost locations. "

Send your fax or email to:

Labor:
Ms Kristina Keneally MP
Premier
Fax (02) 9228 3934
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Post an on-line message at:  http://www.premier.nsw.gov.au/contact

Coalition:
Mr Barry O’Farrell MP
Leader of the Opposition
Fax (02) 9487 8550
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Or post a message online at http://www.barryofarrell.com.au/index.html

Resources

• Fact Sheet:  NRAS - Fulfilling the Potential
• NCOSS 2011 NSW State Election campaign
  
• Federation of Housing Associations campaign
• Shelter NSW campaign

Information

• Warren Gardiner, NCOSS Senior Policy Officer
  ph: 9211 2599, ext 112
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