The Albanese Government’s landmark legislation to deliver the single biggest investment in affordable and social housing in more than a decade has passed the House of Representatives.
Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Julie Collins said the Housing Australia Fund Bill 2023 would be an important step in delivering on an election commitment to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
“When we went to the election, we took this promise to create the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund to the Australian people,” Minister Collins said.
“This fund is a key part of our plan to help tackle the housing challenges Australia is facing, by ensuring that there is a secure, ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing.
“This will be a significant investment in the future of housing in our country, and a significant step forward for Australians looking for somewhere to call home.”
Returns from the fund will help deliver the Albanese Government’s commitment of 30,000 new social and affordable homes in the fund’s first five years, including 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.
Fund returns will also deliver the Government’s commitments to help address acute housing needs, including:
- $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities;
- $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness; and
- $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.