The Coalition’s plan to scrap the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) will leave tens of thousands of Australians without a roof over their heads, as homelessness continues to soar and crisis services buckle under pressure.
A discussion paper modelling three future scenarios of the HAFF, by national housing campaign Everybody’s Home, shows the real-world human impact of political decisions on social housing.
With more than 76,000 Australians seeking support from homelessness services but missing out on long-term housing every year, the paper reveals:
- If the HAFF continues as is, delivering 20,000 social housing dwellings: 65 per cent of those who missed out on housing in 2023-24 could be housed over five years
- If the HAFF is abolished by the Coalition: Only a few thousand Australians who missed out on housing in 2023-24 could be housed, leaving at least 70,000 without homes
- If the HAFF is expanded to deliver 80,000 social housing dwellings: it could house every person turned away in 2023-24, and an additional 123,312 people over a decade or more.
*Assuming 2.5 people per household.
The modelling comes as Housing Minister Clare O’Neil calls on shadow minister Michael Sukkar to allow the government to continue approving HAFF projects during caretaker mode.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said: “The Federal Opposition’s plan to axe the HAFF will rob tens of thousands of Australians the opportunity of a safe, decent, affordable home. Without these homes, people who have nowhere to go will be trapped in homelessness.
“Abolishing the HAFF will mean more Australians sleeping in tent cities, instead of a safe bed in a decent home. That means children sleeping in emergency shelters, cars, tents, couches and on the streets for longer. Homelessness services are overstretched as it is with limited long-term housing options to provide to those in need.
“Every year, more than 76,000 Australians who turn to homelessness services are not provided a home. The HAFF will make a difference to tens of thousands of Australians who are locked out of affordable housing.
“Each of these new social housing homes transforms lives, giving people the opportunity to escape homelessness and build a better future.
“What is needed to fix growing homelessness is more social housing, not less. The number of homes set to be delivered under the current HAFF is a start but it’s nowhere near enough to turn the housing crisis around. With a social housing shortfall of 640,000 homes, Australia must urgently scale up construction to meet this enormous and growing demand.
“The majority of Australians who are voting at this election want to see the federal government build more social housing. Now is the time to build more social housing, not less.”
Media contact: Sofie Wainwright 0403 920 301 // Lauren Ferri: 0422 581 506