WA Community Housing Code of Practice

The Western Australian Community Housing Code of Practice was the product of a Best Practice project initiated by the Community Housing Coalition of WA in early 1997.

The Western Australian Community Housing Code of Practice was launched by the Minister for Fair Trading in October 1997 after a development process which was managed according to guidelines provided by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Input to the development of the Code was received from a range of industry representatives including housing providers and consumers. Like all consumer codes of practice, the Western Australian Community Housing Code of Practice is a public statement of the standards of service consumers can expect to receive from an industry sector – in this case registered community housing providers.

Since July 2007, the Department of Housing and Works (DHW) has started to develop a regulatory framework for the Community housing sector and as such has ceased funding to the Best Practice Unit (BPU) to administer the COP. The BPU is now funded to resource and train the sector in preparation of regulation. So now the Future of the COP is in limbo. At the last Council meeting in September 2007 members decided to delay making a decision about the COP until the regulatory framework is finalised. Members would like to see the principles of the COP incorporated into a regulatory framework as the COP standards are the embodiment of Community Housing. We will revisit this hot topic again at our AGM in October 25th 2007 so please keep an eye on CHCpen and our website for all up to date information on the COP.