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 WA 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 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. At the Council meeting of September 2007 it was decided to delay making a decision about the COP until the regulatory framework is finalised. A desire was expressed to see the principles of the COP incorporated into a regulatory framework as the COP standards are the embodiment of Community Housing. 

To the department of housing's credit, providers who were deemed compliant with the COP as at July 2007 are eligible for a range of exemptions to the registration application process across all provider tiers. However, providers must still prove compliance at the site audit stage of the registration process.