The Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) is a significant milestone in Australian housing policy that aimed to provide affordable housing for low-income earners. The agreement has a long history, starting from the late 1940s when the Australian government first introduced public housing schemes to address the housing shortage after World War II.

The first CSHA was introduced in 1945, providing federal subsidies to the states and territories to develop public housing at a time when there was a severe shortage of affordable accommodation. The agreement was based on the principle that housing was a shared responsibility between the Commonwealth and the states.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the CSHA was revised several times, with the focus shifting towards assisting low-income earners and those with special needs to access affordable housing. This period also marked the beginning of high-rise public housing construction, which led to the development of large public housing estates.

The 1970s saw the introduction of the first National Housing Strategy, which aimed to improve the availability and accessibility of affordable housing across the country. The CSHA was revised in 1974 to incorporate the new strategy and provide greater funding for the states and territories to build public housing.

In the 1980s, the Australian government introduced a range of policy reforms aimed at increasing the role of the private sector in providing affordable housing. The CSHA was revised again to reflect these changes, with a greater emphasis on community housing and initiatives to promote home ownership.

During the 1990s, the CSHA underwent further changes, with an increased focus on the provision of private rental housing and support for low-income earners to access the private rental market. The 1996 National Housing Strategy introduced a range of initiatives to encourage private investment in affordable housing and increase access to housing for those on low incomes.

Today, the CSHA continues to play an important role in Australian housing policy. The current agreement, introduced in 2014, provides funding to the states and territories to develop and maintain affordable housing, support homelessness services, and improve access to housing for Indigenous Australians.

In conclusion, the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement has a long and varied history, reflecting changing government priorities and initiatives to provide affordable housing for low-income earners. While the agreement has undergone numerous revisions over the years, its core objective remains the same: to ensure all Australians have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.