EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
National Rental Affordability Scheme (Household Types) Determination 2009
The National Rental Affordability Scheme (Household Types) Determination 2009 (the Determination) is made under subregulation 19 (5) of the National Rental Affordability Scheme Regulations (the Regulations). Subregulation 19(5) of the Regulations provides that the Secretary may, by legislative instrument, change from time to time, any or all of the household types, income limits, or upper income limits mentioned in the table in subregulation 19(4) of the Regulations.
Background
The National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008 (the Act) enabled the establishment of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (the Scheme) in regulation, providing conditions for applications, assessment, allocation and eligibility for incentive. The Scheme is intended to encourage the development of affordable rental housing by offering conditional incentives to individuals and entities providing new rental housing to low and moderate income households.
The Act provides conditions of allocation, which include that an approved rental dwellings be rented to tenants of a kind prescribed by the Regulations. The Regulations prescribe eligible tenants by reference to household types and income limits specified in the table in subregulation 19(4).
Purpose
The purpose of the Determination is to extend the household types specified in item 2 of the table in subregulation 19(4) to include two single persons with no children. This will enable two single persons with no children who are tenants of an approved rental dwelling and who satisfy the income limits specified in column three for item 2 household types, to be eligible tenants for the purposes of the Scheme.
Retrospectivity
This instrument has effect from 1 July 2008, as that is the date on which the National Rental Affordability Scheme commenced. The retrospective commencement of this instrument is beneficial and will advantage approved participants in the National Rental Affordability Scheme.
Consultation
No consultation in relation to the changes was entered into. However, the need for the change was identified following queries from approved participants in the Scheme.
The change will not result in any disadvantage to any person or entity. The change will advantage participants and potential tenants for approved rental dwellings in the Scheme by broadening the categories of eligible household types to include two single persons with no children.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
The Determination does not require a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or a Business Cost Calculator Figure. The Determination is not regulatory in nature, will not impact on business activity and will have no, or minimal, compliance costs or competition impact. It is not expected that any compliance costs will be incurred by business, as a result of this Determination, against the nine categories listed in the Business Compliance Cost Checklist contained in the Best Practice Regulation Handbook prepared by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.