After a decade of underinvestment in local housing projects, the Albanese Labor Government is continuing to deliver more safe and secure homes across the Illawarra.

Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP, has today announced the Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services will receive $9 million under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) to build 12 new homes for young people at risk of homelessness.

The announcement follows a further $16.2 million provided to SASSI recently under the HAFF Crisis and Transitional program, and brings the total number of new social and affordable homes funded by the Albanese Labor Government in Cunningham to 83.

The Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services is a vital local service, supporting local people and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find and sustain safe, secure housing.

This funding forms part of Labor’s commitment to delivering over $1.2 billion in crisis and transitional housing investment and 55,000 social and affordable homes across the country.

Across the Illawarra, the Albanese Labor Government has already delivered:

• $23,461,450 for SASSI for 35 dwellings in Wollongong for both women and children experiencing family and domestic violence and for older women at risk of homelessness.
• $12,248,090 to Illawarra Community Housing Trust for 36 dwellings in Wollongong to provide long-term social and affordable rental homes for a range of local households including women and children, older women at risk of homelessness and essential workers through the HAFF.
• 51 new and refurbished social homes in the Wollongong Local Government Area with the NSW Government under Labor’s Social Housing Accelerator program.

While there’s still more work to do to fix a housing crisis generations in the making, Labor’s ambitious housing plan is making good progress – building more homes, supporting first home buyers, and targeting investments to expand crisis and transitional housing for those who need it most.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:

“I want to thank Mandy and the entire Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services board and team for their tireless work supporting local people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“I know that these 12 new homes will be absolutely life changing for young people facing homelessness – providing safety, stability and a place to call home when they need it most.

“Through this round of the Crisis and Transitional Housing Program, we’re investing more than $25 million to build 33 new homes across the region. These homes will provide more than a roof overhead – they will offer security, dignity and the opportunity to rebuild.

“I’m proud our government is supporting a total of 83 new social and affordable homes across the Illawarra, alongside 51 new and refurbished social homes being delivered with the NSW Government in the Wollongong LGA.

“We know there is more to do, and we’ll keep working to deliver the safe, secure and affordable homes our community needs.”

Quotes attributable to Mandy Booker, CEO, Wollongong Homeless Hub & Housing Services

“We welcome this significant $9 million investment from Housing Australia, supported by the Albanese Labor Government, which will provide much-needed transitional accommodation for young people aged 22 to 24 in Cunningham.

At Wollongong Homeless Hub & Housing Services, we see firsthand the challenges young people face in securing safe and affordable housing. This investment is about more than providing a roof over their heads; it is about creating stability, building independence and opportunities for a brighter future.

We sincerely thank Housing Australia, the Albanese Labor Government and the Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP, for their commitment to investing in young people and creating pathways out of homelessness.”