1. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1(1) The principles guiding the Commonwealth and the States in the development of this Agreement are:

1. to maintain a core Social Housing sector to assist people unable to access alternative suitable housing options.

2. to develop and deliver affordable, appropriate, flexible and diverse housing assistance responses that provide people with choice and are tailored to their needs, local conditions and opportunities.

3. to provide assistance in a manner that is non-discriminatory and has regard to consumer rights and responsibilities, including consumer participation.

4. to commit to improving housing outcomes for Indigenous people in urban, rural and remote areas, through specific initiatives that strengthen the Indigenous housing sector and the responsiveness and appropriateness of the full range of mainstream housing options.

5. to ensure housing assistance links effectively with other programs and provides better support for people with complex needs, and has a role in preventing homelessness.

6. to promote innovative approaches to leverage additional resources into Social Housing, through community, private sector and other partnerships.

7. to ensure that housing assistance supports access to employment and promotes social and economic participation.

8. to establish greater consistency between housing assistance provision and outcomes, and other social and economic objectives of government, such as welfare reform, urban regeneration, and community capacity-building.

9. to undertake efficient and cost-effective management which provides best value to governments.

10. to adopt a co-operative partnership approach between levels of government towards creating a sustainable and more certain future for housing assistance.

11. to promote a national, strategic, integrated and long term vision for affordable housing in Australia through a comprehensive approach by all levels of government.