News
Launching the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Annual Report Card for 2022
The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF) has officially launched. The Framework is crucial to delivering a culturally safe housing and homelessness system which addresses the challenges that Aboriginal people face in the housing system.
Read moreThe Blueprint for an Aboriginal-specific Homelessness system in Victoria has officially launched
People living in Victoria are facing a housing crisis, which continues to grow at a concerning pace. Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort or The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework was developed in 2020 by community, for community and sets out a clear vision: that every Aboriginal person has a home.
Read moreStill much to do to close the gap
It's been 14 years since the first Closing the Gap framework was established and almost two years since the National Agreement was signed. The Agreement features a target to increase the proportion of appropriately sized housing for Aboriginal Australians to 88 per cent by 2031.
Our community is still more than 10 times more likely to present at a homelessness service than non-Aboriginal Australians.
Read moreFunding reforms to provide a boost for social housing sector
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) welcomes the Victorian Government's announcement of the new Social and Affordable Housing Contribution (SAHC) and rates exemptions for social housing.
The rates exemption recognises social housing as essential infrastructure the same as other public assets, including public schools and hospitals.
Read moreAHV mourns the passing of local artist
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man Josh Muir.
Josh was an award-winning artist known for his bright, street-art-inspired pieces, as well as the joy and warmth he brought to everyone around him.
Read moreGet Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for NAIDOC Week 2022
AHV office closure dates
AHV launches Annual Report 2020-2021
Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s Annual Report for 2020-2021 has officially launched. This year's report showcases AHV’s commitment to achieving better outcomes for community and feature's the organisation's resilience in adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHV has hit the ground running with working towards the goals outlined in Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework. We are driving projects that will hopefully have a transformative impact on our renters' lives – now and into the future.
Read moreMia Mia, edition 4 2021
The fourth edition of Mia Mia for 2021 has been published.
In this edition:
- Christmas Toy Appeal gets underway
- Health service hits the road with vaccine van
- Stay fire safe in the home
- Cosmetics retailer employs new hiring approach
- Home upgrade program continues rollout
- New program to make home ownership more affordable
New program to make home ownership more affordable
The Victorian Homebuyer Fund has been launched to help eligible buyers own their own home sooner. The program works by reducing the amount of deposit that a buyer needs to save for a home loan.
The Victorian Homebuyer Fund is an expansion of the HomesVic Shared Equity Initiative, with broader eligibility criteria.The Victorian Homebuyer Fund is an expansion of the HomesVic Shared Equity Initiative, with broader eligibility criteria.
Read moreAHV's Elders to receive care packs
From this week Elders in AHV properties across the state will be receiving a little surprise on their doorstep.
Our More Than A Landlord (MTAL) Peer Researchers have been busy packing care packs for the 560 Elders listed on our tenancies aged 55 and over.
Read moreMia Mia, edition 3 2021
The third edition of Mia Mia for 2021 has been published.
In this edition:
- Our community leading the way in getting the jab done
- Phone support service gets extension
- Celebrating educational achievements
- Wellbeing program featured in study
- Stay fire safe in the home
- Victoria in Bloom garden competition, and more!
The family violence challenge...five years on from Royal Commission
The number of Aboriginal women presenting to services for family violence support in Victoria has increased by 31 percent in the five years since the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
And as the National Summit on Women's Safety for 2021 draws to a close, family violence remains a key driver of Aboriginal women’s homelessness, commonly cited as one of the main reasons why Aboriginal women seek support from Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). In Victoria in 2017-2018, 1 in 3 (33.6%) Aboriginal SHS clients required family violence support.
Read moreMia Mia, edition 2 2021
The second Mia Mia renter newsletter for 2021 has been published.
- Update on the Aboriginal Rapid Housing Response Program
- NAIDOC Week 2021 celebrations and competitions for renters
- More Than A Landlord program update
- Aboriginal Community Home Connect
- Tenant Satisfaction Survey results
- Support contacts for our community
- Power saving bonus opportunity for eligible households, and more!
Read more
A line in the sand on housing outcomes for First Australians
In a first for homeless and housing policy in Australia, the Victorian Government and Victoria’s Aboriginal community has released a comprehensive, warts and all, Report Card on housing outcomes experienced by Aboriginal Victorians.
The report brings together 20 key measures of housing security and compares outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians with outcomes for the mainstream population and First Nations people across Australia.
Read moreTelephone support program highlighting gaps in community services
Three months ago we launched Aboriginal Community Home Connect, a free telephone support service for Aboriginal tenants living in Victorian social housing.
Home Connect is funded by the Victorian Government as a six-month project, offering support, resources and check-ups to over 4000 Aboriginal community and public housing households throughout Victoria.
Read moreResearch into barriers faced by Aboriginal private renters
Opportunity to participate in research to help us understand the barriers faced by Aboriginal Victorians who want to live in private rental housing.
This project is a partnership between Swinburne University of Technology, the Victorian Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Aboriginal Housing Victoria and the Consumer Policy Research Centre.
Read moreCelebrating 40 years of Aboriginal housing
Today marks 40 years since the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria held its inaugural meeting for what is now the largest Aboriginal housing organisation in Australia.
The establishment of the Housing Board – known today as Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) – is the product of a vision and determination to improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.
Read moreAboriginal Community Home Connect
Aboriginal Community Home Connect has been launched, with the Home Connect team already welcoming a large number of participants into the program.
Read moreMia Mia, edition 1 2021
The first Mia Mia renter newsletter for 2021 has been published.
In this edition:
- The launch of Aboriginal Community Home Connect,
- Information about the Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2021,
- A COVID-19 update,
- Heads up on the NAIDOC Week 2021 theme,
- Information about the Aboriginal Rapid Housing Response Program,
- A review of a big first year for Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort,
- And an update on our new developments.
2019-2020 AHV Annual Report
The 2019-2020 AHV Annual Report is now available to read online.
Read moreIndigenous Homelessness in COVID-19: what have we learnt
AHV CEO Darren Smith has presented at the National Homelessness Conference (NHC) 2020. Discussing the impact of COVID-19 on Aboriginal housing and homelessness, Mr Smith noted the key role that Victorian Aboriginal organisations have played in driving the response in our communities.
Read moreAHV introduces new logo
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) is proud to represent over 4000 tenants and household members, each with their own unique stories, cultural ties and connections to Country.
We are also very privileged to operate on the lands of Aboriginal people, who have respected, cared for and had a deep connection to these lands for thousands of years.
Read moreReform on public drunkenness laws will help to prevent future tragedies
Media release
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) has welcomed the announcement of legislation to end public drunkenness as an offence in the state.
The announcement follows the release of independent report Seeing the Clear Light of Day, which recommends a public health-based response to public drunkenness.
Read moreLandmark collaboration by Victorian Aboriginal organisations leads economic recovery
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) and 18 Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Trusts are celebrating the announcement of a successful bid for the $35m Aboriginal Rapid Housing Response, aimed at stimulating the economy through the building industry.
Read moreCelebrating NAIDOC Week 2020
Aboriginal Housing Victoria and Yarra Libraries (City of Yarra) have teamed up to deliver a series of online events to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for NAIDOC Week (8-15 November).
Read moreMore Needed to Close the Gap on Indigenous Home Ownership
Media release
The Commonwealth Government’s announcement of a $150m investment in an Indigenous Home Ownership Program will be welcome news for the more than 60,000 First Australians living in Victoria, 17% of whom will present to homeless agencies in urgent need of support this year. Government investment to assist more Indigenous Victorians to purchase their own home was a core ambition of Mana-na worn-tyeen maar-takoort, the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework, which was released in February this year.
Read moreAboriginal housing provider taps into connectivity with free-call number
Media release
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) the largest community housing provider in the country has launched a free call number 1800 248 842 (AHV VIC) for tenants in response to the challenges many face in making calls via prepaid mobile phones.
The 1800 number provides a free alternate to AHV’s current local number, where callers can seek tenancy, maintenance and other support, as well as make general enquiries to the organisation.
Read moreA great start in finding a home for more Aboriginal Victorians
Media release
The largest Aboriginal community housing agency in Australia, Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV), today welcomed funding announcements from the Victorian Government to upgrade and build more social housing for Aboriginal Victorians.
Read more
From instability to stability: how Victoria plans to tackle its homelessness problem
Brooke Fryer, NITV
Homelessness and instability is a reality for the lives of Aboriginal Victorians, but a new framework is hoping to lift the spirits of those struggling to find a home.
Read moreFunds to support Aboriginal housing in Vic
7News
A $5.3 million plan to support Aboriginal Victorians beating homelessness and maintaining long-term housing aims to make changes within a generation.
The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework will fund initiatives such as an Aboriginal-specific private rental program, community engagement activities and exploring future housing investment.
Read moreCommunity demands action on Victoria’s Aboriginal housing crisis
Media release
Aboriginal people in Victoria face a higher risk of homelessness than anywhere else in the country according to a landmark framework examining the impact of the state’s housing crisis on Aboriginal people.
Read more