HIA recommends the next Northern Territory Government:

• Streamline the process for builders and trades to be approved to build social, community and affordable housing.
• Establish a Residential Building Industry & Government Taskforce to develop a long-term 10-year social, community and affordable housing plan.
• Ensure steady supply of suitable public housing stock in identified areas of need.
• Establish funding to support new and innovative forms of construction to fast track housing delivery in remote communities.

Access to suitable public (social, community and affordable) housing continues to be a major problem in the NT. The time is right for government to form closer partnership with industry in the delivery of this much-needed supported housing options.

With current levels of private housing at record lows, there is an opportunity for the next NT Government to partner with industry in the delivery of a continuous flow of public housing and avoid the shortfalls that have been so evident and exposed during the pandemic.

The past techniques and processes have failed, and more emphasis should be invested in new ideas and processes as well as supporting innovative forms of construction including offsite and prefab housing.

• To create more homes for Territorians, there is a need to build more public housing projects but also partner with the residential building industry to build more.
• The Federal and NT Governments have committed $4 billion of joint funding to deliver 270 new homes each year over the next 10 years for those who need it most. Industry is ready and willing to deliver this housing but needs innovate solutions and an adequate workforce.
• This injection of funding will create local employment opportunities in the NT and provide added economic stimulus for the Territory.
• The next Territory Government must work with industry on complementary policies to ensure these much-needed homes can be built in a timely manner.