The independent national housing agency will open expressions of interest in early 2025 for a $1-billion program to deliver crisis and transitional housing through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
Housing Australia will engage eligible applicants, including community housing providers, to access funding for the construction of new accommodation or the acquisition and conversion of existing housing.
The funding will provide short-term housing for women and children experiencing domestic violence and young people experiencing homelessness.
Housing Australia chief executive Scott Langford said the funds comprised up to $700 million in grants and $300 million for concessional loans to support the delivery of the accommodation.
“Housing Australia looks forward to actively engaging with the industry to boost safe and secure housing for those facing a crisis or in need of transitional housing options,” Langford said.
“We will work closely with the sector to encourage eligible participants to prepare for the upcoming EoI to enable a pathway for more housing options as soon as possible.”
Industry has welcomed the news of the $1-billion investment in crisis and temporary accommodation.
HIA managing director Jocelyn Martin said it “forms an important part of the housing mix and recognises the need for targeted measures to support increasing supply of all forms of housing”.
“Across the whole housing continuum, Australia faces housing shortages. This includes private housing, private and long-term rentals, social and community housing and crisis, temporary accommodation and transitional housing,” Martin said.
“HIA continues to advocate that all forms of housing are needed across all locations. It is not one form of housing over another, rather we need to boost supply across the board.
“As part of this we need to see policy levers and funding directed to support the delivery of each form of housing across the continuum.
“The funding for targeted action to support boosting the supply in crisis, temporary accommodation and transitional housing is an important initiative towards a critical part of housing mix for our most vulnerable parts of society.”
The announcement follows news that a second round of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) will be fast-tracked to deliver up to 5000 new social homes in partnership with states and territories.
Property Council Australia group executive for policy and advocacy Matthew Kandelaars said the accelerated delivery of these homes was a significant step towards addressing Australia’s housing challenges.
“This initiative will add more urgently needed social housing stock and bring critical momentum to housing supply efforts across the country, unlocking significant new investment and creating thousands of construction jobs,” Kandelaars said.
“Today’s announcement is another important milestone but we must continue to build on this progress and it’s good to see the Government making plans to expedite Round 3 of the HAFF early next year.”