Tens of thousands of new affordable homes are a step closer to being built for vulnerable Australians as the body tasked with delivering the key election pledge gets to work.
Housing Australia will start operating on Thursday, and will be responsible for delivering 40,000 social and affordable rental homes under the government's $10 billion housing fund and National Housing Accord.
It will also have oversight for the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, which allows first home owners, regional Australians and single parents with children to buy homes with smaller deposits.
Housing Minister Julie Collins said it was the start of an "exciting new era in housing policy".
"It’s all part of our broad housing agenda to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home, whether they’re buying, renting or needing a safe space to spend the night," she said.
The nation's housing ministers will meet again before the end of the year.
A report on the barriers to institutional investment in housing made 11 recommendations.
In a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia on Wednesday, Ms Collins said the government will "consider the report’s recommendations carefully and consult with key partners".
"I also plan to discuss the report with my state and territory colleagues at the Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council," Ms Collins said.
She said through the National Housing Accord and decisions made by national cabinet, the government was on its way to implementing the report's recommendations.
