How to resolve AdBlock issue? HIA welcomes joint govt support to build 66,000 new homes in Victoria
HOUSING Industry Association (HIA) chief executive for industry and policy, Simon Croft said the industry has welcomed the Federal and Victorian Governments’ joint funding agreement to commit nearly $3 billion to support the delivery of more than 66,000 new homes – including 25,000 for first home buyers across the state.
Under the agreement, he said the Albanese Government would provide a $2.5 billion investment – made up of $2 billion in concessional loans and $499 million in grants – “to tackle the infrastructure bottlenecks standing in the way of housing, with the Carroll Government providing a contribution of at least $499 million”. 
“The announcement forms part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to work with states and territories to help deliver up to 100,000 homes for first home buyers, with a focus on unlocking housing supply through targeted enabling infrastructure funding,” Mr Croft said.
He said today’s announcement recognised that increasing housing supply would be critical to improving affordability – and one of the largest impediments to delivery of more housing faster, included boosting funding for ‘key last mile’ trunk infrastructure including roads, sewer and water piping and electricity supply.
“This announcement recognises that the fastest and most effective way to help first home buyers is to unlock more housing supply, and that means removing the infrastructure and planning barriers holding projects back,” Mr Croft said.
“HIA has consistently called for targeted investment that unlocks land, accelerates delivery and supports industry to build at scale, and we welcome the Commonwealth’s focus on supply side reforms and work with State and Territory Governments to make this happen.
“Builders often tell us that getting this key ‘last mile’ infrastructure is what holds many projects back from being delivered in a more-timely fashion, today’s announcement is a key plank in addressing that."
‘Ready to build’ in Victoria
HIA Victoria deputy executive director, Steven Wojtkiw, said builders across the state were ready to deliver more homes but continued to face constraints that delay projects and increase costs.
“Victorian builders are ready to deliver, but too many projects are slowed by infrastructure constraints and delays outside their control,” Mr Wojtkiw said.
“Ensuring peri-urban and regional growth areas are supported by the funding is a positive step that will help bring forward new housing opportunities across the state, not just in greater Melbourne.
“Any investment that helps unlock land, bring forward essential services and get homes to market sooner will make a real difference for Victorian first home buyers, and ease broader supply constraints,” he said.
“Getting the fundamentals right – land, infrastructure and approvals – is the key to improving housing affordability in Victoria,” Mr Wojtkiw said.
HIA has long advocated for coordinated action across all levels of government to boost housing supply, including planning reform, streamlined approvals, investment in infrastructure and measures to expand the construction workforce, he said.
“This welcome funding sends a clear signal to industry that governments are serious about boosting housing supply, and builders are ready to get on with the job of delivering more homes for Victorians.”
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