National community housing provider Housing Choices Australia and Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) have entered a landmark agreement that will see AHV offered a 10 per cent allocation of future social and affordable housing dwellings delivered through Housing Choices Australia development projects in Victoria over the next three years, subject to project eligibility, funding and governance requirements.
The commitment forms part of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the organisations, aimed at strengthening housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians through partnership, collaboration and a shared commitment to self-determination.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience significant housing disadvantage, with disproportionate rates of homelessness and housing insecurity. In the past twelve months, homelessness among Aboriginal Victorians has risen almost four times faster than for the broader Victorian population. Aboriginal Victorians represented close to 14 per cent of those accessing specialist homelessness services in 2024-25, despite making up approximately one per cent of the Victorian population.
Housing Choices Australia Chief Executive Officer Leilani Frew said the agreement reflects a practical step forward in addressing housing inequity and strengthening partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
“This MOU moves beyond intent into practical action. It reflects our responsibility as a community housing provider to work alongside Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to improve access to culturally appropriate housing.
“The 10 per cent allocation commitment is a tangible way Housing Choices can contribute to addressing longstanding inequities and ensure Aboriginal Victorians are better represented in new housing supply delivered through our developments.
“We are committed to strengthening partnerships that deliver long-term housing outcomes grounded in respect, collaboration and self-determination.”
AHV Chief Executive Officer Darren Smith said the agreement reflects a culmination of many years of work between both organisations to improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.
“The scale of housing need in Victoria is significant, and we cannot meet it alone. This partnership is about opening doors for more Aboriginal Victorians to access affordable and culturally safe housing through an Aboriginal housing provider, in well-connected neighbourhoods, close to schools, employment, services and community.”
Mr Smith said the agreement is underpinned by the principles of Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework, continuing, “It is toward this vision, where every Aboriginal person has a home, that this partnership is firmly directed.”
The agreement recognises the right of Aboriginal people to maintain connection to culture and community and affirms that self-determination must remain central to housing responses.
Currently, 23 AHV households are living in existing Housing Choices Australia developments in North Melbourne, Pascoe Vale and Werribee, with AHV allocations underway for new developments in Carnegie and Hampton East.
Beyond increasing housing supply, the MOU will support deeper collaboration between the organisations, including joint housing initiatives, funding opportunities, workforce capability development and culturally informed housing responses for Aboriginal communities.
Leilani Frew said, “Housing is more than shelter. Stable, secure and culturally appropriate housing creates the foundation for health, wellbeing, participation and opportunity.”
“This partnership reflects our commitment to working in genuine collaboration with Aboriginal community-controlled leadership to deliver better housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.”
Darren Smith said the agreement represents a strengthening of Aboriginal-led housing approaches and long-term partnership.
“This is what true reconciliation looks like – measured not in words, but in real outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians and their families.”
Media enquiries:
Housing Choices Australia
Preeti Daga
Group Communications Manager
E: [email protected]
Aboriginal Housing Victoria
Meggie Whipp
Senior Communications Officer
E: [email protected]
