**Government Expands Home Buyer Guarantee Scheme Amid Housing Concerns**

The government has announced an expansion of its Home Guarantee Scheme, allowing more first-time home buyers to enter the market with only a 5% deposit. This change comes as the government faces scrutiny over its ambitious housing targets and the slow progress in addressing the housing crisis.

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil stated that the updated scheme removes income price caps, making it accessible to all first home buyers. Additionally, property price caps have been adjusted to align with average home prices. O'Neil emphasized that the initiative aims to help younger Australians achieve home ownership. "We know the real answer to the housing affordability challenges facing our country is that we have got to build more homes more quickly; our government is doing that," she said.

Despite the positive changes, concerns remain about the government's ability to meet its housing goals. The government aims to construct 1.2 million homes by mid-2029, which requires building approximately 240,000 homes annually. However, current completion rates are around 190,000 homes per year, according to the latest Bureau of Statistics data.

When pressed on whether the government is on track to meet its housing targets, O'Neil refrained from providing a direct answer. She noted that housing starts have increased by 17% over the past year, indicating some progress. "What I'm saying is for the first time in 70 years, Australians have a government at the Commonwealth level that is throwing absolutely everything at the housing crisis," she added.

In a related development, a $50 million fund aimed at supporting clean energy apprenticeships has yet to disburse any funds, nearly a year and a half after its announcement in the 2024-25 Budget. The fund is intended to enhance training facilities for apprentices in various clean energy sectors, including wind and solar. However, eligibility guidelines for the funding have not been released, and there are no listings on the government’s grants website.

Skills Minister Andrew Giles did not provide specific answers regarding the fund's status when questioned. Instead, he stated that the government is working to ensure that individuals have the necessary skills to support the growing clean energy sector.

As the government promotes its housing initiatives, critics like Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie argue that the expanded scheme may exacerbate housing affordability issues. She expressed concern that the policy could favor wealthier individuals who have financial support from family, potentially driving up housing prices further.

The government continues to face challenges in addressing the housing crisis while promoting new initiatives aimed at increasing home ownership and supporting clean energy training.