Housing Australia Future Fund delivers homes for Australians locked out of housing

Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund will make a significant dent in Australia’s homelessness challenge, by housing tens of thousands of Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said the announcement was a tangible improvement that would be felt by Australians doing it tough.

"After a decade of inaction under the previous Government which abandoned the field when it came to homelessness and social housing, the Commonwealth is now serious and committed to making a genuine impact," Colvin said.

"With more, we can do more. But we are making genuine headway."

In 2023-24, 109,557 people came to homelessness services seeking long-term housing. Of those, only 4,937 were provided with housing, while 76,688 missed out entirely - receiving neither housing nor a referral.

The 11,000 social housing homes built under HAFF round 3 could more than triple the number of people able to be housed by homelessness services, given that each home typically houses more than one person. 

The need for affordable rental housing is stark. Of the 280,000 people who used homelessness services in 2023-24, 38 percent (105,933 people) said the main reason they needed support was financial difficulties, housing affordability stress, or the housing crisis.

"These statistics show that if people could access a low-cost home they can afford, they wouldn't be homeless," Colvin said.

"Round 3 represents real homes for real people. These are women escaping violence, older women at risk of homelessness, young people, and families doing it tough. These are Australians who deserve a safe place to call home.

"The Housing Australia Future Fund is working. Sustained investment at this scale is needed to meet the enormous need across the country."

Media contact: Kathleen Ferguson 0421 522 080