Today, Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O’Neil and Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters visited a housing construction site in Myer Street, Bendigo that will receive funding through the Housing Australia Future Fund (‘the HAFF’) to support 77 new social and affordable homes operated by Uniting Vic/Tas. This funding will ensure these new homes remain for low-income people in perpetuity with ongoing funding from the HAFF.

We are also announcing HAFF funding comprised of loans and availability payments, for 35 new social homes for women in need in Flora Hill as part of a partnership with YWCA and the Victorian State Government.  

However, these projects are one of many at risk under a Dutton Liberal and National Coalition Government.

Peter Dutton said on Thursday night during his Budget reply that the Liberal and National Coalition “will stop the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund,” with his housing spokesperson Andrew Bragg also recently indicating that a Coalition Government would not honour existing HAFF contracts, calling into question the housing stability of thousands of social housing tenants.

We call on the Liberal and National candidates for Bendigo to clarify whether they support these 112 new social homes for Bendigo.

Labor has a plan to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes over the next 5 years, 28,000 of which are already in planning and construction stages.


Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O’Neil

“It’s unthinkable that in the middle of a housing crisis Liberals and Nationals have committed to cutting $19 billion of housing funding, including funding for 112 new social and affordable homes in Bendigo.

“We desperately need more social and affordable housing in our regions, and all the Liberals and Nationals are talking about doing is cutting billions of funding to homes that are already being delivered.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters

“I am proud to be part of an Albanese Federal Labor Government that wants to deliver more homes in Bendigo. I regularly hear from local community organisations of the urgent need for more housing particular for women and young people.

“The biggest risk to social and community housing projects in the Bendigo Electorate are the Liberals and Nationals. Peter Dutton has already said that he will scrap the HAFF, as well as a number of other key housing reforms that aim to help locals into appropriate and safe housing.”