Homes for Homes, one of Australia’s most innovative housing schemes, has received a $200,000 boost to help build more social and affordable housing.
$100,000 will go to YWCA Canberra to help build supported homes for victims of domestic violence, while the other half will help Community Housing Canberra to house women leaving the justice system by giving them accommodation while they secure employment and rebuild their lives in the wider community.
Homes for Homes allows property owners to commit 0.01% of their property price to their scheme to build dwellings for homeless Australians. Started as an initiative of The Big Issue, Homes for Homes has spent over a decade allowing for property owners to help fund the construction of affordable homes in Australia.
To sign up for the scheme, homeowners need only to designate Homes for Homes as a Special Condition in their Contracts of Sale, which will allow for a donation of the percentage of sale price, which then becomes a tax deductible for the seller.
Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing Michael Sukkar was on hand to commend Homes for Homes on their work in communities across Australia.
“I reflect back to early 2017, when I was Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, and the now Prime Minister was Treasurer,” said Sukkar. We were assessing this concept of Homes for Homes and wondering just how sustainable and realistic it could be.”
“We were very impressed by the model and particularly how it leverages private sector investment into social and affordable housing and the sustainable way in which, over decades, through transactions, we would be able to augment government contributions with this outstanding model. That's why we provided $6m in seed funding and it's fair to say that the government is pleased with that investment.”
“Today marks another small dividend from that investment and the outstanding work from Homes for Homes, as well as the people who have contributed and ensured that their home sale makes a difference. There's two $100,000 grants, this one in the ACT to assist with victims of domestic violence, I think that speaks for itself.”
