Calls Grow for $10 Billion Boost to Australia's Social Housing Fund

Homelessness and domestic violence organizations are urging the Australian government to allocate at least $10 billion in extra funding for social and affordable housing, arguing the current investment is falling far short of need.

The Current Situation

The existing $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) — announced in 2023 — aims to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes by mid-2029. Since May 2022, approximately 6,000 homes have been delivered, with most being new builds and some repurposed from existing properties.

However, advocates say these numbers are inadequate to address the deepening housing crisis, particularly for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Voices from the Sector

Kate Colvin, Head of Homelessness Australia

Colvin stated that the government should invest additional billions in the HAFF to address "blockages" in housing for women and children escaping domestic violence.

"One in four women and children fleeing family violence cannot access crisis accommodation, and more than half of families seeking medium-term accommodation are turned away."

She argued that social housing should constitute at least 6% of all housing — up from the current ~4% — with an aspiration of 10%. Achieving this target would require more than doubling the HAFF.

Anne Kirwan, Head of Marymead CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn

Kirwan confirmed her organization used HAFF's $100 million crisis accommodation program to purchase seven homes in the ACT.

She called for doubling the total HAFF allocation, and compared the $10 billion housing fund to the $360 billion allocated for submarines, suggesting a need to reassess government priorities.

Kirwan also highlighted a "starvation cycle" affecting charities: decreasing funds paired with increasing demand.

Marina Carman, Executive Director at Safe and Equal

Carman stated that demand from victim-survivors of family violence cannot be ignored despite economic constraints. She expressed concern that no major funding increases are expected in the upcoming federal budget.

Government Response

A government spokesperson said the government has invested "more than any government ever" in tackling family, domestic, and sexual violence, but declined to pre-empt the budget process.

Senator David Pocock's Intervention

The Independent ACT senator suggested the HAFF could be quadrupled based on sector feedback, and called for additional crisis accommodation funding beyond the $100 million already allocated.

Pocock urged sustained focus on the National Plan to End Domestic Violence, noting a national rise in family and domestic violence cases and linking economic pressures — including rising interest rates, mortgage costs, and rents — to increased family violence.

The debate comes as organizations brace for the upcoming federal budget, with advocates warning that without significant new investment, the housing crisis for vulnerable Australians will only deepen.