FEDERAL Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Social and Community Housing Michael Sukkar has announced two recipients of Homes for Homes funding to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
The announcement marks a third round of funding to be distributed to community housing providers by Homes for Homes; an independent, not-for-profit organisation helping to solve one of Australia’s biggest social issues – homelessness.
The federal government committed $6 million in seed funding to Homes for Homes over four years in the 2017-18 Budget.
Homes for Homes will provide $200,000 to support two projects which will increase Australia’s supply of social and affordable housing. YWCA Canberra will receive $100,000 towards establishing 10 supported dwellings for older women and women with children who are experiencing family violence while Homes for Homes will provide another $100,000 to assist Community Housing Canberra build two homes which will help women transition from custody to secure housing, employment and community connections.
Homes for Homes’ CEO Steven Persson said the funding has been made possible with the support of many, including property developers, the federal government, several state governments, partners and broader community.
“By 2036 the gap between the supply and demand for social housing is projected to grow to as much as one million properties – posing a major challenge for our community at large,” Persson said. “Homes for Homes is an all-of-community solution and funding milestones like these show the power of coming together to make significant inroads in solving this problem.”
Minister Sukkar said the seed funding provided to Homes for Homes has established a long-term approach to creating more social and affordable housing.
“We are pleased that they are already making a tangible difference with announcements such as those made today.”
Homes for Homes is on track to raise in excess of $1 billion over 30 years and has already allocated nearly one million dollars in funding since launching in 2015.
