Community and housing partnerships

In its drive towards A Fairer Victoria, the Victorian Government works to ensure that housing is affordable and available for all Victorians.

It does so through agreements such as the National Affordable Housing Agreement, a Commonwealth and State/Territory Government commitment to provide disadvantaged Victorians with more affordable housing options.

The Office of Housing works in partnership with not-for-profit housing agencies to expand the supply of low cost housing for low and medium income Victorians through a number of funding initiatives.

Social housing

Social housing refers to housing run by not-for-profit housing agencies for eligible low- to medium-income Victorians.

Social housing aims to provide affordable long term rental housing with the recognition that people have a right to a sustainable tenancy. It caters to a diverse range of clients and is integrated into the community.

The Office of Housing partners housing agencies to meet the following objectives:

• To provide more and better affordable rental housing
• To develop and upgrade affordable rental housing to be environmentally sustainable and better integrated with the whole community
• To support those most in need with more training and employment opportunities
• To provide crisis accommodation and tackle the causes of homelessness in Victoria

Housing agencies are registered either as housing associations or housing providers under the Housing Act 1983. Housing associations must be companies limited by shares or guarantee. Housing providers can also be incorporated associations or cooperatives.

While all housing agencies provide housing for low- and medium-income Victorians, each housing agency has its own allocation policy.

Regulation

In 2005, the Victorian Government passed an amendment to the Housing Act 1983 to regulate not-for-profit housing agencies providing long-term or transitional community housing.

Housing associations are registered and regulated through the Victorian Government’s Housing Registrar.

Once registered, all agencies are monitored on an ongoing basis and must demonstrate continuous improvement and compliance with performance standards. The Housing Registrar has robust intervention powers if needed.

Other partnerships

Neighbourhood Renewal brings together the resources and ideas of residents, governments, businesses and community groups to tackle disadvantage in areas with concentrations of public housing.

Through the Public Tenant Employment Program (PTEP) tenants are given the opportunities to develop their skills and qualifications. PTEP also works with employers to find staff for their business needs.