Australia announces $300 million for crisis housing

The Australian government has announced $300 million in new grant funding for crisis and transitional housing. This initiative aims to deliver 500 new homes by 2029, specifically targeting women and children fleeing family violence.

Despite this announcement, Australia is currently behind its target to build 1.2 million new homes by the end of the decade. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council forecasts that this goal will likely be met by the end of 2030, approximately 18 months later than the mid-2029 deadline. Additionally, the $10.9 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has faced scrutiny after a July report indicated it had delivered 1,432 houses, falling short of its five-year target of 40,000 homes.

In response to the ongoing crisis, independent MP Nicolette Boele intends to introduce a bill to establish a standard definition for affordable housing to address current inconsistencies in how the term is applied.