Housing support for struggling Victorian communities

Aboriginal Victorians struggling to find or keep a private rental, are to receive support to secure housing under a new $17m investment program.

The Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program was co-designed by Homes Victoria and Aboriginal housing organisations to provide rental subsidies, bond support, and targeted programs for tenants

Since the program began in late 2020, more than 2,000 Aboriginal households have received support – with nearly 70 per cent successfully finding or keeping their housing.

This investment will help support around 4,200 more households secure or maintain a private rental, providing a vital pathway to long-term housing stability.

This initiative is part of the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework – Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort, Every Aboriginal Person has a Home – a long-term plan to improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.

“We’re continuing our partnerships with First Nations organisations to design and deliver housing programs that are culturally safe, effective, and tailored to the needs of the people they serve,” Minister for Housing Harriet Shing said.

“We know that these initiatives make a real difference – since launching our rental assistance program, the majority of applicants have been able to find or stay in their private rental.”

The Labor Government is also helping boost social and affordable housing across the state through its $6.3 billion Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund, helping deliver 13,300 homes

At least 10 per cent of all new social homes under the Big Housing Build are set aside for First Peoples and the Labor Government is working with Aboriginal housing organisations to design, build and manage homes.

Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said her government saw  the best outcomes were when Aboriginal communities designed and lead solutions.  “That’s exactly what this rental assistance program does, so that more First Nations families can find and secure long-term housing,” she said.