Feds finalise $250m funding boost for Victorian housing

In a joint statement, Mr Frydenberg and Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher announced that the Coalition government and the Victorian government have finalised their National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA), which will provide $2 billion in commonwealth funding to housing and homelessness services over a five-year period.

“The $2 billion in funding will provide social housing and homeless services that aim to make a positive difference for families and individuals experiencing disadvantage,” the government said.

“This funding represents an approximate $250 million increase on the previous five years to 2017–18.

“It will help to provide for crisis and transitional accommodation, long-term social housing, maintenance of social housing, builds and acquisitions, along with a range of assistance to prevent homelessness.”

The NHHA replaces the National Affordable Housing Agreement and the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

“Under the NHHA, funding levels will be maintained, and funding allocated to homelessness services is ongoing and indexed, providing certainty to frontline homelessness services providers,” the government added.

The federal government also stated that it is committed to working with the state and territory governments to “improve housing and homelessness outcomes”.

“Funding for housing and homelessness services is part of our plan for a stronger economy and to keep Australians safe and together,” the government concluded.

[Related: Homelessness at ‘epidemic levels’ in NSW]