Over $1 Million in Grants Delivered to Support Community-Led Housing Initiatives
30 Sept 2025 –The Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF) is proud to announce the successful disbursement of $1,076,000 in funding to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Traditional Owner Groups (TOs) through two targeted grant programs designed to strengthen the Aboriginal Housing Sector by supporting Aboriginal-led community housing initiatives. Funded by Homes Victoria, the grants will resource activities such as community engagement, workforce development, registration readiness, strategic planning and the preparation of funding proposals. Together, enabling ACCOs and TOs to build organisational capacity and explore opportunities to become registered housing providers and participate in social housing development funding. These initiatives are a key part of delivering the outcomes of Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort, the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework.
The two grant programs disbursed include:
- Supporting Aboriginal Registration Grant: Assists ACCOs and TO’s to strengthen organisational capacity and readiness for housing registration.
- Breaking Down Barriers to the Big Housing Build Grant: Supports ACCOs and TO’s to access social housing development funding through the Victorian Government and similar programs.
The following 13 ACCOs and TOs were successful applicants, and will deliver 21 projects over the next 12 months:
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
- Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative
- Coranderrk Aboriginal Housing Co-operative Limited
- Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
- Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
- Mallee District Aboriginal Services
- Murray Valley Aboriginal Corporation
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
- Taungurung Land & Waters Council
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
- Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation
- Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Limited
- Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Co-operative
Chair of the AHHF and CEO of Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Darren Smith said, “Supporting ACCOs and TOs with targeted resources ensures that Aboriginal organisations can lead the development of safe and culturally appropriate housing. These grant programs are about equipping our communities with the tools and opportunities to shape housing solutions that reflect their culture, priorities, and self-determination.”
Karen Heap, CEO of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) also welcomed the funding, “Safe community housing is an urgent priority for BADAC and our Aboriginal community,” continuing, “the funding will support a position at BADAC to develop all the governance, policies, procedures and other processes needed for us to apply for much-needed housing funding.”
This investment marks a significant step forward for Aboriginal housing outcomes in Victoria. By backing ACCOs and TO’s to lead culturally safe, community-driven housing initiatives, we move closer to the shared vision that every Aboriginal person has a home. The AHHF will continue to work alongside community, government, and partners to ensure Aboriginal voices remain at the centre of housing solutions.
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Contact: communications@ahvic.org.au | 0456 688 006
About the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF)
The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF) is a first of its kind, self-determined voice for Aboriginal housing and homelessness. The AHHF is a consortium of over 40 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Traditional Owner (TOs) groups and Aboriginal Trusts, who are delivering, or are interested in delivering, housing and homelessness services across Victoria.
The AHHF provides a dedicated space to engage in culturally safe planning, advocacy and action to progress the strategic objectives of Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: Every Aboriginal Person has a Home, the Victoria Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework.
The AHHF works in partnership and collaboration with Homes Victoria, the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Department of Transport and Planning, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet to build the capacity and capability of an Aboriginal housing and homelessness system, and to ensure that every Aboriginal person has a home.
Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort is the self-determined framework for Aboriginal housing and homelessness reform in Victoria. The Framework was developed by community, for community in 2020, to reflect the objectives and priorities of the Victorian Aboriginal community, and respond to community needs across the housing and homelessness systems over the next 20 years.
