Faith Housing Australia

Faith Housing Australia The peak body for the faith housing sector - in pursuit of housing justice and committed to homes for all.

Ahead of tonight’s Federal Budget, two early housing announcements highlight the growing focus on structural barriers wi...
12/05/2026

Ahead of tonight’s Federal Budget, two early housing announcements highlight the growing focus on structural barriers within Australia’s housing system.

The new National Youth Housing Supplement recognises a long-standing issue affecting community housing providers and young people experiencing homelessness. By improving the operating viability of housing young people, the reform better aligns funding settings with housing need and supports more sustainable tenancy pathways.

The Government’s new $2 billion housing-enabling infrastructure fund also reflects an important reality increasingly understood across the sector: housing supply is often constrained not only by land or capital, but by the enabling infrastructure needed to make projects viable and deliverable.

Together, these measures will help more young people and families access safe, secure and sustainable housing in the communities where they are needed most.

FHA CEO Amanda Bailey will be attending this afternoon's Federal Budget lock-up, with member insights and further commentary to follow.

MODULAR HOUSING IN PRACTICE – MEMBER SITE TOUR 25 MARCH 2026FHA is inviting members to a site tour in the Illawarra regi...
10/03/2026

MODULAR HOUSING IN PRACTICE – MEMBER SITE TOUR 25 MARCH 2026
FHA is inviting members to a site tour in the Illawarra region to see firsthand one of the homes delivered through Homes NSW’s Secondary Dwelling Pilot Program.

During the visit, representatives from Homes NSW and FHA member Moov Modular will provide an overview of the program and share insights into how the homes were designed, manufactured and delivered using modular construction.

The home featured in this tour is one of ten secondary dwellings delivered across the Lake Macquarie and Lake Illawarra regions. The pilot explores how smaller, well-designed homes on existing government-owned land can increase social housing supply while freeing up larger homes for families who need them most.

Constructed offsite at Moov Modular’s Central Coast and Hunter Valley manufacturing facilities, the homes are transported and installed onsite. The featured home was delivered in approximately 7–8 weeks from construction through to completion, demonstrating the potential of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to accelerate housing delivery.

Designed in accordance with NSW Government standards, the homes include durable, low-maintenance features and high-quality finishes, with many achieving Gold Liveability Standards to support accessibility and ageing in place.

FHA has also been pleased to contribute to Homes NSW’s MMC Taskforce, supporting broader conversations about how modern construction approaches can help address housing supply challenges.

This site tour offers FHA and Shelter NSW members the opportunity to see MMC delivery in practice, hear directly from the project partners, and discuss the implications for accelerating social and affordable housing supply across NSW.

Members' registration link: https://events.humanitix.com/modular-housing-in-practice-or-moov-modular-project-site-visit

HAFF ROUND 3: PROVIDING PROGRESSIVE CERTAINTYHousing Australia has provided further clarity on next steps as assessment ...
27/02/2026

HAFF ROUND 3: PROVIDING PROGRESSIVE CERTAINTY
Housing Australia has provided further clarity on next steps as assessment continues, with Tranches A and B to be established in response to the high volume of EOIs across Streams 2 (Housing Diversity) and 4 (Partnerships at Scale).

The phased structure is intended to provide progressive certainty — clearer sequencing signals and earlier visibility on position as the process advances.

Here is what this means in practice:

SEQUENTIAL ASSESSMENT: EOIs are being assessed in the order received, against the Call for Submissions criteria. There is no cross-optimisation across the full pipeline.

TRANCHE A, FROM 16 MARCH
EOIs submitted within the stream allocation are being assessed first. If a Detailed Application is approved following rigorous assessment (including value-for-money), funding will be available.

TRANCHE B, FROM 30 MARCH
EOIs submitted after the stream allocation was reached form a reserve pool (up to 1.5x of allocation). Funding is conditional and depends on attrition within Tranche A. Applicants should carefully assess the resources required before proceeding.

CAPACITY MANAGEMENT: Streams are expected to close once approved EOIs reach approximately 250% of available allocations.

The scale and quality of the Round 3 pipeline confirms that the Community Housing sector is ready to deliver at scale — and that the HAFF has the depth, demand and discipline to justify increased and sustained capital allocation.

The National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH) has released its discussion paper, Future Directions for th...
24/02/2026

The National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH) has released its discussion paper, Future Directions for the NRSCH, marking the most significant review of community housing regulation in over a decade.

This comes at a critical moment — with HAFF, NHAF, NASHH and other national financing mechanisms such as NHIF driving major growth, complexity and accountability across our sector.

What the paper highlights
• The regulatory system has not kept pace with the scale of new national investment.
• Registrars and the National Office are operating within limited, time‑bound funding arrangements, despite being central to safeguarding billions in public housing investment.
• Providers — including faith-based CHPs — are navigating complex SPVs, new funding streams, and reporting obligations across multiple funders and jurisdictions.
• There is a strong national shift toward outcomes‑driven, data‑informed, proportionate regulation, aligned with national data improvements underway through AIHW.

These issues directly affect our members, who increasingly operate across jurisdictions, deliver large‑scale projects, and manage extensive compliance relationships with multiple government agencies. This consultation is a critical opportunity to help modernise regulation so it supports outcomes‑focused practice, reduces duplication, and ensures proportionality for providers of all sizes.

🤝 FHA WILL BE ACTIVELY ENGAGING
As the national peak body for faith‑based community housing, FHA will:
• Prepare a formal submission on behalf of members
• Advocate for proportionate, modern regulation that supports long‑term housing outcomes
• Supporting streamlined reporting, better alignment with federal programs, and a clear national policy position
• Highlight the vital role of faith‑based providers in delivering place‑based, culturally responsive housing

🗣️ HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
We will shortly invite members to contribute insights to shape FHA’s submission.
Your voice is essential as regulation evolves alongside major national housing reforms.
Read the discussion paper linked in the comments below and stay tuned for engagement opportunities.

14/12/2025

Australia is our shared home. As faith organisations united in providing homes for Australians in need, we grieve this terrible attack on our Jewish brothers and sisters in Bondi.

Housing justice is about protecting a safe home for everyone in Australia — a place of safety, dignity and belonging. This attack was not only an act of violence against people, but an assault on the idea that Australia is home for all of us.

We stand in care with those who are suffering unimaginable loss — the families directly affected and the wider community carrying grief and fear.

We acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of our member Jewish House and Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who, despite being personally affected, are playing a vital coordinating and support role in response to this tragedy.

As Hanukkah begins, one candle was lit last night. Together, as a wider community, we can help light more — not through symbols alone, but by showing up with care and practical support for the Jewish community and each other.

Housing Australia has announced an upcoming industry market briefing on Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund Fac...
02/12/2025

Housing Australia has announced an upcoming industry market briefing on Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF) — featuring online remarks from The Hon Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness.

The session will cover:
🏠 Simplified and updated application process
🏠 Eligibility requirements
🏠 Strengthening the partnership delivery model

This online forum is an important opportunity for Community Housing Providers, state, territory and local government partners, developers, builders, financiers and investors to hear directly from the agency on how it intends to work with the sector to deliver tenant-centred housing outcomes at scale.

Faith-based community housing providers secured more than 10% of the HAFF Round 1 pipeline, with HAFF providing the critical funding needed to progress many faith-based projects that were previously out of reach. With Round 3 now approaching, we see strong potential for even greater impact as more mission-driven projects come forward.

We strongly encourage FHA members and partners to register here: https://www.gevme.com/housing-australia-market-briefing-2025-24341000

Faith Housing Australia welcomes today’s announcement from Minister Clare O'Neil MP confirming that Round 3 of the Housi...
23/11/2025

Faith Housing Australia welcomes today’s announcement from Minister Clare O'Neil MP confirming that Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund will open in late January 2026. This landmark round will unlock the remaining 21,350 homes and fully deliver on the national commitment to 40,000 new social and affordable homes.

Importantly, Round 3 introduces a major program shift championed by FHA and our members: an open, on-demand, two-stage application process designed to enable faster decisions, reduce upfront bid costs and strengthen partnerships across the sector.

Key features of Round 3 include:
🏠 Flexible funding packages to support multi-partner proposals
🏠 Streamlined social, affordable and infrastructure products under a single HAFF brand
🏠 $600 million dedicated to First Nations housing organisations, supported by a new First Nations Concierge service

Amanda Bailey, CEO of Faith Housing Australia, said:
“We welcome this strong momentum from the Government and Minister O’Neil. Today’s announcement shows that they are listening to the sector and responding with practical reforms that will make a real difference on the ground. It directly reflects recommendations from our Unlocking Mission-Driven Housing report and sustained advocacy across the community housing sector.”

“The move to an open, on-demand, two-stage process is a major and very welcome reform. It’s a clear win for faith-based community housing providers and a strong signal of partnership with mission-driven organisations ready to bring forward well-located projects. The HAFF is already proving to be a powerful national mechanism for getting homes moving, and these improvements will further accelerate delivery and strengthen project viability.”

“Faith-based CHPs secured more than 10% of the HAFF Round 1 pipeline, demonstrating the depth and readiness of this sector. Continued HAFF investment provides the scale and certainty needed to unlock faith-owned land and deliver high-impact housing solutions across Australia.”

Housing Australia will host a Market Briefing in December 2025, and organisations are encouraged to register their interest. Further details and the registration link are available in the comments below.

FHA will continue supporting members and partners in preparing for Round 3 and advancing a strong national pipeline of well-located homes for people facing the greatest housing need.

JOIN US FOR FHA's 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGWe're bringing together members and advocates from across Australia for a c...
14/11/2025

JOIN US FOR FHA's 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
We're bringing together members and advocates from across Australia for a concise, engaging and forward-looking session focused on the year ahead.

We’re delighted to welcome Scott Langford, CEO of Housing Australia, as our special guest speaker to share the priorities and opportunities shaping the next 12 months of national investment and reform.

FHA Chair Rob Stokes will also interview Scott, guiding a focused conversation on the issues shaping our sector and how mission-driven partnerships — including the expanding faith-sector pipeline highlighted in our recent report — can accelerate delivery at scale.

Together we will:
✔️ Celebrate the achievements and impact of our members
✔️ Launch our Annual Impact Report 2024–25 and 2026 Calendar of Events
✔️ Share a national outlook on funding and partnership opportunities
✔️ Conduct brief formal business in accordance with our Constitution

Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025
Time: 10.00am – 11.00am AEDT
Location: Online via Zoom

Register via the link in the comments below

Faith Housing Australia welcomes today’s announcement of the NSW Government’s Building Crisis Housing Plan — a $130 mill...
12/11/2025

Faith Housing Australia welcomes today’s announcement of the NSW Government’s Building Crisis Housing Plan — a $130 million investment to deliver 200 new crisis beds and renew ageing infrastructure across the state.

The new capital funding will support the renewal and expansion of existing crisis accommodation facilities, including those owned by Specialist Homelessness Services and government, ensuring they are modern, fit-for-purpose, and ready to meet urgent community needs.

This is a significant step toward a more responsive system — one that provides dignity and a first step out of homelessness into housing for women, children and others in urgent need of shelter.

Homes NSW will engage with the sector in planning the rollout, with more conversations to come as this investment takes shape on the ground.

Faith Housing Australia looks forward to supporting our members and partners as this important initiative progresses. Full announcement and interview with Minister Rose Jackson linked in the comments below 👇

FHA WELCOMES URBAN POLICY EXPERT SEAN MACKEN TO ITS BOARDWe're delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Macken to t...
11/11/2025

FHA WELCOMES URBAN POLICY EXPERT SEAN MACKEN TO ITS BOARD
We're delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Macken to the Faith Housing Australia Board.

Sean is a respected urban policy and planning expert with more than 30 years’ experience across government, industry and advocacy. He most recently served as Senior Policy Adviser to The Hon Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and has previously held senior roles as Managing Director of Macken Strategic Planning Solutions, Director of Government Relations at Hawker Britton, and Senior Adviser to former NSW Planning Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge.

A former South Sydney Councillor and Chair of its Planning Committee, Sean played a key role in the Green Square masterplan and has been a consistent voice for housing and planning reform.

“Sean brings a remarkable depth of experience in urban policy, governance and housing delivery. His leadership and collaborative approach will be invaluable as we continue building the faith sector’s contribution to solving Australia’s housing challenge," says Rob Stokes, FHA Chair.

Sean’s appointment strengthens FHA’s governance and leadership at a pivotal time for housing reform, bringing his deep expertise and commitment to practical, purpose-driven solutions that deliver more homes and better communities.

(Image L-R: FHA Chair Rob Stokes, CEO Amanda Bailey and new Board Member Sean Macken at the Parliamentary Friends of Urban Design event in Canberra).

Address

PO Box Q1162 QVB
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Faith Housing Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share