Victoria's peak body for community housing has welcomed the opening of the third round of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), and says local providers are ready to deliver thousands of new social homes for people around the state.
The biggest HAFF round yet will fund more than 21,350 new social and affordable homes across Australia.
Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic) Acting CEO Jason Perdriau said that the HAFF's community housing delivery model meant that the affordable homes built would continue to deliver benefits for generations to come.
"Victoria's not-for-profit community housing providers have the skills and expertise to deliver thousands more social homes, and our for-purpose mission means we put renters at the heart of everything we do," he said.
"Our sector already provides more than 26,000 homes for Victorians in need, and our charitable status ensures profits are reinvested back into the communities we support.
"The first two rounds of the HAFF saw Victoria receiving the highest amount of investment at $4.3 billion, which will deliver 5,418 new homes, the most of any state or territory.
"With more than 55,000 Victorians on the social housing waitlist, we welcome the Federal Government's commitment to building more social and affordable homes so people pushed out of the private rental market can find a safe, stable place to live.
"We also welcome HAFF 3's focus on delivering homes for First nations people. The dedicated $600 million First Nations stream will have a huge impact for the Aboriginal Victorians who make up 11 per cent of social housing applications in our state, despite being only 1 per cent of the population.
"Community housing provides a fresh start in life for so many people, and HAFF round 3 will bring that life-changing stability and hope to thousands more Victorians."
