Up to $50,000 is available from Voluntary Affordable Housing Agreements Grants Program to support projects that deliver affordable housing.
Voluntary Affordable Housing Agreements Grants Program
The Voluntary Affordable Housing Agreements Grants Program is one of several actions designed to support Councils and other parties to build capacity to reach voluntary affordable housing agreements.
Background
In June 2018, amendments to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 commenced operation to support and encourage the development of more affordable housing. The voluntary framework established under the Planning and Environment Actenables councils to work with land owners, developers and other partners to agree affordable housing provision as part of development projects, and to use Section 173 of the Act to confirm those agreements.
The Victorian government recognises that there are limited precedents for councils to draw upon in negotiating affordable housing agreements, and that it is appropriate to provide some transitional support to councils to build their capability to successfully negotiate such agreements. This program for affordable housing agreements has been developed to provide specialist expert and technical assistance and support to council officers working to negotiate Section 173 agreements for affordable housing.
Funding
A total of $500,000 is available during the 2018/19 financial year to support councils’ advance negotiations. It is anticipated that a maximum of $50,000 support will be provided to successful applicants.
Applicants that make a co contribution, including in-kind (but excluding staff overheads) will be prioritised.
Eligible Projects
Applications are invited for projects which meet one or both of the following:
- Negotiating or developing a voluntary affordable housing agreement for a development at a specific site or collection of sites
- Developing policy infrastructure (eg. a Council affordable housing policy, or a planning scheme amendment) and other resources that will assist the successful negotiation of voluntary affordable housing agreements in the short- to medium-term.
Grant funding may be used to purchase professional advisory services required to progress the project. Examples of the types of professional advisory services that may be relevant are:
- community and stakeholder consultation;
- analysis of affordable housing needs data;
- support during the process of negotiating a voluntary affordable housing agreement;
- support to Council staff in understanding the economic viability of including affordable housing under different development approval scenarios;
- support to Council staff in understanding the different delivery models available for affordable housing.
Eligible Applicants
Victorian Councils (local governments) can apply for funding under the Voluntary affordable housing agreements grants program.
Applications made in partnership with other parties to a proposed affordable housing agreement are encouraged (but having established partnerships is not a requirement of the program). Individuals, consultants, developers and housing providers are not eligible to apply (except as partners to an application made by a Council).
Timing
Applications close 22 October 2018.
More Information
- Source
- Program Guidelines
