Funding for ACT and Vic social housing

THE Big Issue’s Homes for Homes has granted support to four more social and affordable housing projects across Victoria and the ACT, amidst the still worsening housing crisis.

Homes for Homes, which raises funds to create more social and affordable housing through voluntary donations from homeowners and renters, has granted $400,000 in support across two projects in Victoria and two in the ACT.

In Victoria, Kids Under Cover was granted $100,000 to provide living space and bedrooms for young people at risk of homelessness, with Property Industry Foundation also granted $100,000 to establish units for young single women and their children.

While in the ACT, Havelock Housing was granted $150,000 to redevelop a former community centre into housing for a marginalised group of women, while Project Independence was granted $50,000 to develop private units for residents with intellectual disabilities.

“Homes for Homes is thrilled to support four new social and affordable housing projects,” said Steven Persson, CEO at Homes for Homes.

“This grant round will create secure housing and change the lives for those on the margins. As the housing crisis worsens, we hope to continue our mission and help create more social and affordable housing in need across Australia.”

This is the sixth round of grants Homes for Homes has used to provide funds to social and affordable housing projects and the first-time grants have been provided to the Victorian City of Casey.

Homes for Homes now has granted more than $1.8 million in funds across 21 projects, providing housing for over 350 people and is on track to raise in excess of $1 billion by 2030 since its launch in 2015.

In 2022, past rounds of funding targeted NSW and WA for up to $160,000 and for Queensland and the NT for $138,000, both of which were the first grants for each state and territory since Homes for Homes launched.

While in March this year, the Queensland Parliament passed new legislation to support the expansion of the not-for-profit enterprise across the state.

Homes for Homes run on voluntary donations from homeowners and renters, with residents agreeing to register their property, to enable a tax-deductible donation of 0.1% of the sale price or rent to flow into the social enterprise.