Regional Housing Fund
A $1 billion fund to deliver more than 1,300 social and affordable homes across regional and rural Victoria.
The Regional Housing Fund provides an opportunity to make a significant difference to housing Victorians in greatest need, such as people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, as well as providing more affordable housing for regional and rural communities.
This investment is on top of the $1.25 billion we’re already investing in our regions through the Big Housing Build.
How will the Regional Housing Fund be delivered?
We’re using a range of methods to deliver the social and affordable housing across regional and rural Victoria as quickly and efficiently as possible in areas of greatest demand. This includes:
- using modern methods of construction
- redeveloping existing social housing stock
- partnerships with the community housing sector
- refurbishing old stock to bring it back online for new renters
- purchasing homes in new developments.
The Social Housing Growth Fund Affordable Housing Partnership Program will deliver up to 270 affordable housing dwellings.
In addition, a $25 million Rapid Housing Procurement program will secure homes for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
We’re also partnering with Development Victoria to deliver new social and affordable homes in Geelong and Bendigo at former Commonwealth Game Athletes’ Villages sites - 72 homes in Geelong and 56 homes in Bendigo.
Timeline
July 2023
Late 2023
October 2024
2028
Progress on delivery
Work is well underway with at least 282 new and upgraded homes already completed and a further 423 homes underway. The balance of the program is progressing through the various planning stages.
Homes delivered include:
- 72 transitional housing homes to rapidly house people experiencing homelessness
- 39 new homes on Homes Victoria land
- 8 new homes in partnership with the community housing sector for people affected by 2022 floods
- 2 homes for First Nations Victorians
- 161 existing homes upgraded bringing the homes back online for renters.
Work is progressing across a range of projects, including:
- 70 homes to support flood-affected areas in Shepparton, Seymour and Rochester, with 12 due for completion by the end of 2025
- 50 social and affordable homes in Colac-Otway
- 50 social and affordable homes in City of Wodonga
- 130 homes for First Nations Victorians
- 8 social homes in Hamilton.
More projects and locations will be announced as future programs are finalised.
Where will new homes be built?
We’re delivering social and affordable homes across at least 30 regional and rural Local Government Areas (LGAs), across each of Victoria’s regional areas.
Who will live in the new homes?
The focus is Victorians in greatest need, as well as providing more affordable housing for rural and regional communities.
At least 130 of the homes will be allocated for First Nations Victorians.
There will also be more homes for priority social housing applicants, women and children escaping family violence, young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, key workers as well as displaced communities dealing with the ongoing impacts of flood.
Consultation
Consultation with Regional Partnerships, including local councils and key representatives, provided local insights on priority groups and the mix of housing types and locations.
Conversations with stakeholders in local communities will continue as projects in regional and rural areas progress.
