Policy framework
Policy framework for reducing homelessness
Homelessness and being at risk of homelessness is associated with social and economic disadvantage. A lack of affordable housing puts households at an increased risk of experiencing housing stress or homelessness and can impact their health, education, and employment outcomes (Botha et al. 2024; Chung et al. 2020; Desmond and Gerhenson 2016; Gurran et al. 2021; Rowley and Ong 2012). For further information see the Health of people experiencing homelessness.
Constraints on the housing market impact housing affordability in Australia, especially among those accessing housing in the private rental market (Baker et al. 2022; NHSAC 2025).
Governments across Australia fund a range of services to provide support to those experiencing homelessness or facing housing insecurity. These services are delivered by various government and non-government organisations. For more context, see Homelessness and Homelessness services.
The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness
The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (NASHH) replaced the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement on 1 July 2024. It is an agreement between the Australian and state and territory governments under the Federal Financial Relations Act 2009.
Through the NASHH, the Australian and state and territory governments are working together to help people who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and support the effective operation of Australia’s social housing and homelessness services sectors.
Under the NASHH, the Australian Government is providing $9.3 billion, approximately $1.8 billion per year over five years, to states and territories. This includes a homelessness funding component of around $400 million a year, which the states and territories are required to match.
The objectives of the NASHH will be assessed against the National Outcomes Framework. Key social housing and homelessness measures will be used to monitor progress achieved through the NASHH.
In addition to the NASHH, the Australian Government may provide other funding to states and territories for affordable housing initiatives through National Partnership payments. For more information on funding committed for affordable housing National Partnership payments in 2025–26, refer to Budget Paper No. 3: Federal Financial Relations | Budget.gov.au.
The National Housing Accord
The National Housing Accord was agreed on in October 2022 and brings together all levels of government, investors, and the residential development, building and construction sector to unlock quality, affordable housing supply over the medium term.
The Accord includes an aspirational national target of delivering 1.2 million new, well-located homes over 5 years from July 2024 and immediate and longer-term actions for all parties to support the delivery of more affordable homes.
Social Housing Accelerator Payment
In June 2023, the Australian Government delivered the $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator Payment, a one-off payment to the states and territories to permanently increase social housing stock across the country. Jurisdictions can use these funds for new builds, spot purchases, expanding existing programs, and renovating or refurbishing existing uninhabitable stock. Funds are required to be committed within two years.
The Housing Australia Future Fund
The Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), was established in November 2023 by the Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023 (HAFF Act). The HAFF is a dedicated investment vehicle to provide additional funding to support and increase social and affordable housing, as well as other acute housing needs. On establishment, the HAFF was credited with $10 billion.
As part of the HAFF, $100 million has been dedicated to additional crisis and transitional housing options for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness. This commitment will be delivered via a 5-year capital works grant program funding the building, remodelling or purchase of new or expanded crisis or transitional accommodation.
Housing Australia
Housing Australia has the primary responsibility for delivering Australian Government commitments to fund 30,000 new social and affordable dwellings through the Housing Australia Future Fund, and an additional 10,000 affordable homes through the National Housing Accord Facility (Housing Australia 2025a).
Established in 2018, the National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) is an Australian Government initiative administered by Housing Australia. The NHIF provides concessional loans and grants to support the delivery of more social and affordable homes.
In the 2024–25 budget the Government committed to an additional $1 billion for the NHIF towards crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, and youth at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness (Housing Australia 2025b).
Housing policies and programs in the Australian Government are shared across different departments.
Treasury provides advice to government on housing and homelessness-related issues. It is responsible for developing housing and homelessness policy that is administered across government, including by Housing Australia.
Treasury co-chairs the Housing Policy Partnership to create opportunities for shared decision making between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and governments. For more information, see Housing.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has policy responsibility for Commonwealth Rent Assistance. For more information, see Housing Support.
COVID-19 impact on homelessness services
The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the Australian housing system and people’s experiences of homelessness. Australian governments enacted a range of policy initiatives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to protect vulnerable people from homelessness and to reduce the risk of adverse health effects of the COVID-19 disease. These initiatives included funding directed towards moving people sleeping rough and others experiencing homelessness into emergency and temporary accommodation.
See the COVID-19 responses section in the Specialist Homelessness Services: monthly data report for details on the impact of these policies on SHS support.
Baker E, Lyrian D, Beer A, Rowley S, Stone W, Bentley W, Caine R and Sansom G (2022) ‘The impact of the pandemic on the Australian rental sector’, AHURI Final Report No. 389, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, doi: 10.18408/ahuri3126701.
Botha F, Bentley R, Li A, and Wiesel I (2024) ‘Housing affordability stress and mental health: The role of financial wellbeing’, Australian Economic Papers, 63(3), 473–492, doi:10.1111/1467-8454.12340
Chung RY, Chung GK, Gordon D, Mak JK, Zhang LF, Chan D, Lai FTT, Wong H and Wong SY (2020) ‘Housing affordability effects on physical and mental health: household survey in a population with the world’s greatest housing affordability stress’, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2020(74):164–172, doi:10.1136/jech-2019-212286.
Desmond M and Gershenson C (2016) ‘Housing and Employment Insecurity among the Working Poor’, Social Problems, 2016(0):1–22, doi:10.1093/socpro/spv025.
Gurran N, Hulse K, Dodson J, Pill M, Dowling R, Reynolds M and Maalsen S (2021) ‘Urban productivity and affordable rental housing supply in Australian cities and regions’, AHURI Final Report No. 353, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, doi:10.18408/ahuri5323001.
Housing Australia (2025a) ‘Housing Australia Future Fund Facility and National Housing Accord Facility’, Housing Australia, accessed 6 October 2025.
Housing Australia (2025b) ‘National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF)’, Housing Australia, accessed 6 October 2025.
Leishman C, Aminpour F, Baker E, Beer A, Crowe A, Goodall Z, Horton E, Jacobs K, Lester L, Torchia S, Maclennan D, Martin C, Nash M, Pawson H, Rowley S, Stone W and Ong ViforJ R (2022) ‘Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic housing policy responses’, AHURI Final Report No. 353, doi: 10.18408/ahuri3227801.
NHSAC (National Housing Supply and Affordability Council) (2025) ‘State of the Housing System 2025’, Australian Government, accessed 6 October 2025.
Rowley S and Ong R (2012) ‘Housing affordability, housing stress and household wellbeing in Australia’, AHURI Final Report No. 192, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited.